ORIGINAL PAPER
Functional asymmetry in young male and female artistic gymnasts
1
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Athens, Greece
Submission date: 2025-06-08
Acceptance date: 2026-04-29
Online publication date: 2026-09-07
Corresponding author
Dallas George
Athletics Sector, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ethn. Antistasis 41, Dafni, Athens, 172 37, Greece
Athletics Sector, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ethn. Antistasis 41, Dafni, Athens, 172 37, Greece
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
The causes of asymmetry include ineffective injury rehabilitation programs, the demands of each sport, training methods and the relationship between antagonist muscles acting on the joint. The purpose of the study was to assess the functional and dynamic asymmetry of lower limbs in young artistic gymnasts.
Methods:
Thirty competitive athletes aged 10–12 years performed field and laboratory tests to assess any existing asymmetry. The field test evaluation was carried out by performing a single-leg vertical jump, a triple horizontal single-leg jump, and an assessment of the flexibility of the knee and lower back flexors, while dynamic asymmetry was assessed using the BIODEX isokinetic device.
Results:
No statistically significant differences in the flexibility of the knee and lower back flexor muscles were observed between the right and left legs. The results for the single-leg vertical jump and triple horizontal single-leg jump showed a non-statistically significant asymmetry in male and female athletes (p > 0.05). Male gymnasts revealed a higher percentage of asymmetry during maximum knee extension torque than female gymnasts, whereas female gymnasts showed a higher percentage of asymmetry during maximum knee flexion torque than male gymnasts.
Conclusions:
Functional asymmetry levels were low in the examined sample, whereas a high percentage of asymmetry was observed in female gymnasts in the achieved angle and maximum flexion torque work output.
The causes of asymmetry include ineffective injury rehabilitation programs, the demands of each sport, training methods and the relationship between antagonist muscles acting on the joint. The purpose of the study was to assess the functional and dynamic asymmetry of lower limbs in young artistic gymnasts.
Methods:
Thirty competitive athletes aged 10–12 years performed field and laboratory tests to assess any existing asymmetry. The field test evaluation was carried out by performing a single-leg vertical jump, a triple horizontal single-leg jump, and an assessment of the flexibility of the knee and lower back flexors, while dynamic asymmetry was assessed using the BIODEX isokinetic device.
Results:
No statistically significant differences in the flexibility of the knee and lower back flexor muscles were observed between the right and left legs. The results for the single-leg vertical jump and triple horizontal single-leg jump showed a non-statistically significant asymmetry in male and female athletes (p > 0.05). Male gymnasts revealed a higher percentage of asymmetry during maximum knee extension torque than female gymnasts, whereas female gymnasts showed a higher percentage of asymmetry during maximum knee flexion torque than male gymnasts.
Conclusions:
Functional asymmetry levels were low in the examined sample, whereas a high percentage of asymmetry was observed in female gymnasts in the achieved angle and maximum flexion torque work output.
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