THE RELATIONSHIP OF FORCE PRODUCTION ASYMMETRY AND PERFORMANCE IN ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT STRENGTH LEVELS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between force production asymmetry and performance of athletes with differing strength levels in males and females. Collegiate athletes (n=129) from various sports were ranked according to isometric mid-thigh pull peak force and the top (‘strong’) and bottom (‘weak’) 25% were used for analysis. Symmetry index (SI) scores were calculated and correlated with their respective force-time characteristics using bivariate correlations. For the weaker males, several negative moderate correlations were observed; however, no statistically significant correlations were observed for the females in either group. These findings indicate that force production asymmetry is inversely related to performance in weaker male athletes during isometric strength testing; however, similar to previous findings, this relationship is not apparent in stronger males.