Lower-Limb Flexibility Profile Analysis in Youth Competitive Inline Hockey Players

Antonio Cejudo, Víctor Jesús Moreno-Alcaraz, Mark De Ste Croix, Fernando Santonja-Medina and Pilar Sainz de Baranda
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Antonio Cejudo: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Víctor Jesús Moreno-Alcaraz: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Mark De Ste Croix: Sports and Musculoskeletal System Research Group (RAQUIS), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Fernando Santonja-Medina: Sports and Musculoskeletal System Research Group (RAQUIS), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Pilar Sainz de Baranda: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: During puberty, the growth of the bones is faster than that of the muscles, which may result in muscular tightness. Muscular tightness and asymmetry have been associated with an increase in injury incidence. The assessment of a joint range of motion (ROM) could help to identify athletes classified as high injury risk. The objectives of the present study were to describe the lower-extremity flexibility profile (LEFP) of youth competitive inline hockey players using the ROM-SPORT battery (I) and to identify muscular tightness and asymmetry (II). Seventy-four young players were examined for maximum passive ankle, knee, and hip ROMs. Muscle asymmetry or tightness was classified according to cutoff scores previously described. The LEFP of the 74 players was 10.8° for hip extension, 26° for hip adduction, 33.6° for ankle dorsiflexion, 38.6° for ankle dorsiflexion with knee flexed, 36.7° for hip abduction, 46° for hip internal rotation, 60.6° for hip external rotation, 65.1° for hip abduction with the hip flexed, 66.3° for hip flexion with the knee extended, 119.7° for knee flexion, and 133.7° for hip flexion. The individual analysis of the flexibility values identified tightness in all players for one or more movement, except for hip abduction. A low prevalence of asymmetries was observed (range: 5.4% to 17.6% of players) depending on the ROM.

Keywords: young athlete; injury risk; athletic development; tightness; asymmetry; ROM-SPORT battery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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