Muscle Asymmetry in Tennis and Soccer Players
Author Information
Author(s): Sanchis-Moysi Joaquin, Idoate Fernando, Izquierdo Mikel, Calbet Jose A. L., Dorado Cecilia
Primary Institution: Physical Education Department, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Hypothesis
Professional soccer is associated with an asymmetric development of iliopsoas and gluteal muscles, with greater volume in the dominant compared to the non-dominant side, reflecting greater stretch-shortening loads on the dominant leg during kicking; and that tennis is associated with a greater hypertrophy of the non-dominant iliopsoas and gluteal muscles.
Conclusion
Tennis elicits an asymmetric hypertrophy of iliopsoas and reverses the normal dominant-to-non-dominant balance observed in non-active controls, while soccer is associated with a symmetric hypertrophy of iliopsoas.
Supporting Evidence
- Tennis players showed a trend to greater volume in the non-dominant compared to the dominant gluteal muscles (8%, P=0.06).
- The dominant and non-dominant iliopsoas muscles were hypertrophied in tennis (24 and 36%, respectively) and soccer players (32 and 35%, respectively).
- The degree of side-to-side asymmetry decreased linearly from the first lumbar disc to the pubic symphysis in tennis players.
- Soccer players had similar volumes in both sides of the iliopsoas muscle.
- Tennis players had 24% and 30% more total volume in the dominant and non-dominant gluteal muscles than controls.
Takeaway
Tennis players have bigger muscles on their non-dominant side, while soccer players have similar muscle sizes on both sides.
Methodology
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine the muscle volume of iliopsoas and gluteal muscles in professional tennis and soccer players, and non-active controls.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported dominance and physical activity levels among participants.
Limitations
The study only included male professional athletes and non-active controls, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
15 male professional soccer players, 8 male professional tennis players, and 6 non-active men.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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