KINETIC ASYMMETRY AND CENTER OF MASS DISPLACEMENT DURING JUMPS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of kinetic asymmetry on center of mass displacement in both mediolateral (COMd ML) and anteroposterior directions (COMd AP). Seventeen collegiate baseball players underwent weight distribution (WtD), and unloaded and loaded static (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ). Concurrent kinetic and kinematic data were collected during the evaluation. Independent samples t tests were run to evaluate differences in COMd between the most and least asymmetrical athletes. WtD was not able to differentiate between values of COMd AP, but did for loaded conditions of COMd ML. Peak force and rate of force development (RFD) asymmetry appear to influence COMd, and RFD asymmetry appears to show the most differentiability between groups in terms of COMd ML. Kinetic asymmetry may result in undesirable displacement of athletes’ COM during jumping.