Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes

Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3557-3566, 2014-The influence of unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, on multidirectional speed has not been widely researched. This study analyzed how speed was related to unilateral jumping. Multidirectional speed was measured by 20-m sprint (0-5, 0-10, 0-20-m intervals), left- and right-leg turn 505, and modified T-test performance. Unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, was measured by vertical (VJ), standing broad (SBJ), and lateral (LJ) jumping. Thirty male team-sport athletes (age = 22.60 ± 3.86 years; height = 1.80 ± 0.07 m; mass = 79.03 ± 12.26 kilograms) were recruited. Pearson's correlations (r) determined speed and jump performance relationships; stepwise regression ascertained jump predictors of speed (p ≤ 0.05). Subjects were divided into lesser and greater asymmetry groups from each jump condition. A 1-way analysis of variance found between-group differences (p ≤ 0.05). Left-leg VJ correlated with the 0-10 and 0-20-m intervals (r = -0.437 to -0.486). Right-leg VJ correlated with all sprint intervals and the T-test (r = -0.380 to -0.512). Left-leg SBJ and LJ correlated with all tests (r = -0.370 to -0.729). Right-leg SBJ and LJ related to all except the left-leg turn 505 (r = -0.415 to -0.650). Left-leg SBJ predicted the 20-m sprint. Left-leg LJ predicted the 505 and T-test. Regardless of the asymmetry used to form groups, no differences in speed were established. Horizontal and LJ performance related to multidirectional speed. Athletes with asymmetries similar to this study (VJ = ∼10%; SBJ = ∼3%; LJ = ∼5%) should not experience speed detriments.