Leonard Achenbach1,2, Werner Krutsch3, Matthias Koch3, Florian Zeman4, Michael Nerlich3, Peter Angele3,5. 1. Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, 93042, Regensburg, Germany. leonardachenbach@gmail.com. 2. Sporthopaedicum Regensburg-Straubing, Regensburg, Germany. leonardachenbach@gmail.com. 3. Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, 93042, Regensburg, Germany. 4. Centre for Clinical Studies, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. 5. Sporthopaedicum Regensburg-Straubing, Regensburg, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Side-to-side asymmetry in side-cutting manoeuvres is a known risk factor for severe knee injury. Potential leg asymmetry during ground contact times of different change-of-direction manoeuvres was evaluated in athletes by means of the recently developed SpeedCourt® system. The hypotheses were that ground contact times and the limb symmetry index are affected by age and the type of sports. METHODS: One-hundred and sixty-five athletes (149 men, 16 women, age 16.5 ± 5.1) of popular team sports such as football, team handball and baseball were assessed by means of three different tests [side-hop, lateral change-of-direction (COD) and diagonal COD] using the SpeedCourt® system. Analysis included the factors age, sex, type of sports, ground contact time, leg symmetry index and limb dominance. RESULTS: During lateral but not diagonal COD tests, football players had shorter contact times than players of team handball (p = 0.026) and baseball (p = 0.015) of the same age group. The side-hop tests yielded differences in the leg symmetry index between players < 16 years and players > 16 years (p < 0.01). Mean ground contact time differed in each of the side-hop, lateral COD and diagonal COD tests (143.5 ± 20.0 vs. 256.2 ± 66.1 vs. 320.4 ± 55.0). Contact times and test durations of side-hop, lateral COD and diagonal COD tests were shorter for older players (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ground contact times of side-hop and change-of-direction manoeuvres are influenced by age, the type of sports and limb dominance. Such information is fundamental for future sports medicine research and needs to be considered in pre-season screening or when used as a criterion for return-to-competition of players with previous severe knee injury. Assessment of change-of-direction manoeuvres should be included in future return-to-competition test batteries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
PURPOSE: Side-to-side asymmetry in side-cutting manoeuvres is a known risk factor for severe knee injury. Potential leg asymmetry during ground contact times of different change-of-direction manoeuvres was evaluated in athletes by means of the recently developed SpeedCourt® system. The hypotheses were that ground contact times and the limb symmetry index are affected by age and the type of sports. METHODS: One-hundred and sixty-five athletes (149 men, 16 women, age 16.5 ± 5.1) of popular team sports such as football, team handball and baseball were assessed by means of three different tests [side-hop, lateral change-of-direction (COD) and diagonal COD] using the SpeedCourt® system. Analysis included the factors age, sex, type of sports, ground contact time, leg symmetry index and limb dominance. RESULTS: During lateral but not diagonal COD tests, football players had shorter contact times than players of team handball (p = 0.026) and baseball (p = 0.015) of the same age group. The side-hop tests yielded differences in the leg symmetry index between players < 16 years and players > 16 years (p < 0.01). Mean ground contact time differed in each of the side-hop, lateral COD and diagonal COD tests (143.5 ± 20.0 vs. 256.2 ± 66.1 vs. 320.4 ± 55.0). Contact times and test durations of side-hop, lateral COD and diagonal COD tests were shorter for older players (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ground contact times of side-hop and change-of-direction manoeuvres are influenced by age, the type of sports and limb dominance. Such information is fundamental for future sports medicine research and needs to be considered in pre-season screening or when used as a criterion for return-to-competition of players with previous severe knee injury. Assessment of change-of-direction manoeuvres should be included in future return-to-competition test batteries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
Authors: Timothy E Hewett; Gregory D Myer; Kevin R Ford; Robert S Heidt; Angelo J Colosimo; Scott G McLean; Antonie J van den Bogert; Mark V Paterno; Paul Succop Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2005-02-08 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Scott G McLean; Rebecca E Fellin; Rebecca E Felin; Natalie Suedekum; Gary Calabrese; Allen Passerallo; Susan Joy Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2007-03 Impact factor: 5.411