Lower limb neuromuscular asymmetry in roller hockey players

The aim of the current study was to compare and quantify the neuromuscular lower limb asymmetries present in roller hockey players and its link to high risk of injury. A secondary purpose was to correlate the index of asymmetries (ASI) between the different neuromuscular tests performed. 27 male roller hockey players (age = 20.59 +/- 3.81 years) performed the single leg countermovement jump (SLCJ), the Hop Test battery (single hop test, triple hop test and crossover hop test) and the change of direction test (COD test). Significant differences were observed (p <0.05) between the lower limb established according to the objective criterion of dominant and non-dominant leg for all tasks. The average difference of the ASI between players' legs ranges from 4.93% to 9.60% depending on the test, being maximum in the single leg countermovement jump (9.60%). A 33.3% of the players in the sample obtained an ASI > 10% in the SLCJ, a situation considered as an injury risk factor. Only a significant correlation was obtained between the SLCJ and the COD test. Consequently, it is suggested that the complete neuromuscular profile between lower limbs be evaluated with the different tests, for both in the conditioning programs and in the injury prevention and return-to- play.