The influence of inter-limb asymmetries in muscle strength and power on athletic performance: a review

Abstract

The aim of this review was to examine the available literature on inter-limb strength and power asymmetries and their effect on sports performance. In total, 31 studies were included. The findings indicate a negative effect of strength asymmetries on change of direction, sprinting, cycling and kicking performance. They may also be detrimental to jumping performance, however, more research is needed to confirm this. The findings on power asymmetries are more inconsistent and indicate that asymmetries measured with various power tests may affect some performance measures. For example, jumping performance is affected by the power asymmetries measured with jumps, but not by those measured with change of direction tests. Furthermore, the correlation between asymmetry tests and performance outcomes can be affected by the type of sport, training period and the magnitude of the asymmetry. To better understand the effects of strength and power asymmetries on athletic performance, further research is needed, particularly on the effects on sport-specific performance tests.