Title:
Evaluating Limb Asymmetry and Muscular Adaptations in Collegiate Athletes Engaged in Sports Involving Asymmetrical Movements
Author(s):
Bruno Serra
Author Email:
bserra@unca.edu
Department:
BIOLOGY
Faculty Mentor(s):
Christopher Nicolay
Abstract / Summary:
This study measures and compares the strength of the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups, grip strength, and measurements of the forearm and hand to assess patterns of asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant limbs of collegiate athletes who practice asymmetric sports compared to a reference population of college students. Utilizing a custom-built device, we recorded the maximal forces generated during wrist flexion and extension in a standardized position, and also measured grip strength in a sample of n= 26 undergraduate students to establish normal variations in strength and asymmetry. We then compared this data with athletes practicing asymmetrical sports, such as tennis and golf. We hypothesize that athletes who practice asymmetrical sports will exhibit a higher degree of muscular asymmetry, characterized by distinct patterns unique to each sport and reflective of its specific motion requirements. By measuring wrist flexor and extensor strength, this study fills a critical gap in current knowledge, offering insights into the muscular adaptations associated with asymmetrical sports and the broader field of phenotypic plasticity.
Publication Date:
May-14-2024
Documents: