Comparison of Different Functional Tests for Leg Power and Normative Bilateral Asymmetry Index in Healthy Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Spencer W Sullivan,1,2 Niles A Fleet,3 Vanessa A Brooks,3 Jennifer Bido,2 Benedict U Nwachukwu,2 Peter H Brubaker1 1Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA; 2Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 10021, USA; 3Department of Sports Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USACorrespondence: Spencer W Sullivan 1109 Crowne Oaks Circle, Winston Salem, NC, 27106, USATel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Bilateral leg power is being increasingly investigated as a proxy for the recovery of muscle performance after injury. Functional tests like the single leg hop for distance (SLHD) and single leg vertical jump (SLVJ) are often used to determine symmetry and return to play (RTP) readiness. As an injury predictor, leg power is accurately measured with the Keiser Air420 seated leg press.Purpose: To measure and analyze lower leg asymmetry in healthy collegiate athletes across each test battery.Methods: Eighty-eight healthy student-athletes (44 males, 44 females) across 14 varsity teams at Wake Forest University performed the SLHD, SLVJ, and the Keiser. Horizontal and vertical displacement were measured via the SLHD and SLVJ, respectively. Peak power was recorded via the Keiser Air420 leg press. Pearson correlations and repeated measures ANOVA were used to calculate associations and compare bilateral asymmetry indices (BAI) and raw scores.Results: There was a significant effect on each test’s raw BAI (P < 0.01). The mean absolute BAI were 5.42 ± 4.9%, 6.64 ± 4.9% and 5.36 ± 4.7% for the SLHD, SLVJ and Keiser, respectively. The SLVJ and Keiser (dominant leg r = 0.832, nondominant leg r = 0.826) were more highly correlated than the SLHD and Keiser (dominant leg r = 0.645, nondominant leg r = 0.687), all of which were statistically significant (P < 0.01).Conclusion: At the 90th percentile, healthy collegiate athletes attained < 15% BAI. We recommend the implementation of a battery of tests to determine normative lower limb asymmetry. A battery of functional tests may present different asymmetry indices as opposed the 10% reference asymmetry.Keywords: lower leg, power testing, functional testing, limb symmetry, athlete, return to play

Keywords

• lower leg
• power testing
• functional testing
• limb symmetry
• athlete
• return to play