Asymmetry and performance in amateur athletes involved in high intensity functional training

What is it about?

BACKGROUND: The introduction of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) in sport gave rise to the exploration of determinants of success in sport. OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether asymmetry inter-limb is related to reduction in physical performance in amateur HIFT athletes. METHODS: Twenty-four HIFT amateur athletes, 11 women and 13 men, participated in the study. All volunteers performed three different jump tests: the squat jump (SJ), the countermovement jump (CMJ), performed unilaterally and bilaterally, and the 20-m sprint test. RESULTS: An overall asymmetry inter-limb of 9.5% in women and 9.3% men was not associated with any of the outcome measures. There were no significant differences in both genders between asymmetry, sprint, lower limbs’ muscle power (LLMP), SJ, CMJ and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetry inter-limb in CMJ does not seem to affect the performance of amateur athletes of HIFT. Thus, when the target is to maximise the performance, in the training programme, coaches should prioritise tasks that increase vertical jump capacity at the detriment of the unilateral jump.

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Why is it important?

Professionals involved with the HIFT prescription should be aware of the factors that can influence the results of their athletes at competitive events, as well as the mitigation of injury risks. However, as a relatively new modality, there are only a few studies that seek to evaluate such variables. Thus, our work is one of the few studies that provides information that can be useful in the evaluation and structuring of HIFT programmes that aim for success in competitions. In addition, the present study demonstrates that the use of vertical jumps, a simple test of low financial cost and movements similar to the one performed in sports, is a better approach to evaluate the presence of asymmetries between limb and as a form of performance analysis.

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