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Article

The Relationship between Preseason Common Screening Tests to Identify Inter-Limb Asymmetries in High-Level Senior and Professional Soccer Players

by
Fernando J. Santos
1,2,3,
Aníbal J. Valido
4,5,
Inês S. Malcata
4,
Cátia C. Ferreira
1,6,
Dalton M. Pessôa Filho
7,8,
Carlos E. L. Verardi
8,9 and
Mário C. Espada
1,3,4,*
1
Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, School of Education, 2914-504 Setúbal, Portugal
2
Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
3
Life Quality Research Centre, Complexo Andaluz, Apartado, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
4
Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, School of Technology (ESTSetúbal, CDP2T), 2914-508 Setúbal, Portugal
5
Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
6
Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sport Performance (GOERD), Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
7
Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Bauru 17033-360, Brazil
8
Graduate Programme in Developmental Psychology and Learning, Faculty of Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Bauru 17033-360, Brazil
9
Graduate Programme in Human Development and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro 13506-900, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Symmetry 2021, 13(10), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101805
Submission received: 31 August 2021 / Revised: 19 September 2021 / Accepted: 23 September 2021 / Published: 28 September 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry in Medicine and Biomechanics)
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Abstract

:
This study sought to examine inter-limb asymmetries in common screening tests performed during preseason and to analyze the relationship between the performance in the different tests. Nineteen high-level senior and professional soccer players (age: 23.2 ± 3.1 years; height: 181 ± 0.06 cm; body mass: 75.2 ± 4.8 kg) performed several common screening tests during preseason: Dorsiflexion lunge test (DLT); bent knee fall out test (BKFO); y-balance anterior test (YBT A); y-balance posterolateral test (YBT PL); Y-balance posteromedial test (YBT PM); Heel-rise test (HRT) and single leg hamstring bridge test (SLHBT). High levels of reliability (ICC > 0.88 and <0.94) were observed in all the studied variables. Inter-limb significant differences were observed in DLT and YBT PM test (p < 0.01) but YBT A, HRT and SLHBT presented trivial effect size (ES) (0.03; 0.07 and 0.13, respectively), contrary to DLT, BKFO and YBT PL, all with small ES (0.20; −0.23 and −0.22) and YBT PM, which revealed very large ES (2.91). Considering all data, high-level senior and professional soccer players present fairly good mean values of lower limb symmetry. Performance considering all tests was different, a fact associated with different biomechanical dynamics (e.g., YBT), nonetheless, the correlations between tests underline the relationship between these, which could represent important evidence to consider for injury prevention and performance enhancement programs.

1. Introduction

Today’s sporting demands are higher than in the past [1], and soccer is a multifaceted team sport where the specific physical fitness attributes of the players justify particular approaches and meticulous analysis in scientific research [2]. It has become popular worldwide, causing competitive moments to increment, involving highly prepared and specialized players [3]. During practice and competition, soccer players are exposed to large volumes of repetitive high-intensity short-duration actions [4], accordingly, this sport is associated to a high injury risk, which may have a negative impact on both team performance and individual players’ health [5].
Injuries in sports are associated to complexity [6], consequently, a holistic approach seems to be essential to increase the probability of success [7]. Recently it was stressed that non-contact injuries occur most frequently in male youth soccer players, with knee and ankle indicated as having the highest incidence [8]. Moreover, epidemiological studies highlighted that muscle injuries constitute more than one-third of all injuries produced during a competitive season [8,9], causing more than a quarter of the total injury absence in professional soccer clubs [9]. Considering a squad of 25 soccer players, it was previously indicated that clubs may experience an average of 12 to 15 muscle injuries [10], associated to around 300 time-loss days [11,12].
Due to its specific characteristics, the hamstrings are the muscle group with the highest injury incidence in both senior [10,13] and young [14] elite male soccer players, associated to high re-injury rates in soccer (12–45%) [15]. In soccer alone, hamstring strain injuries (HSI) represent 12% of total injuries in high-level players [16]. Depending on the time of the season and competitive scheduling, this could represent six fixtures being missed, with professional soccer teams often experiencing 5–6 HSI per season [10]. Therefore, this specific injury results in a large performance and financial burden, costing elite European soccer teams in the region of half a million euros, and this scenario is likely to have increased when considering inflation since 2016 [13]. Even more alarming is the reported 4% annual increase in HSI occurrence in soccer during a 13-year longitudinal study [13]. These facts highlight and suggest the importance of collaborative work, namely performed by professionals from different fields such as sport sciences, physiotherapy and biomedical technology.
Dynamic balance is the ability to stabilize the body and maintain center of mass stability during dynamic actions, which is extremely relevant for the successful performance of fundamental movement skills [17], many of them important for success during a soccer game. Reduced dynamic balance scores have been associated with lower extremity injuries [18], more specifically, the sum of three out of eight reach directions in the star excursion balance test (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) and asymmetrical anterior reach distances have shown associations with injury in male youth athletes [19,20].
Inter-limb asymmetry is defined as differences in the function or performance between limbs [21]. These are common in sports, with particular emphasis in soccer, where players are exposed to a very congested playing calendar and high volumes of training [22]. Asymmetry thresholds between 10% and 15% have been highlighted to impact different aspects of performance testing [23], nevertheless, it is unclear if asymmetry thresholds for professional soccer players are consistent across different tests and recently, it was indicated that asymmetries were task and variable specific [24].
Hodges et al. [21] stressed that functional asymmetries may occur from a multitude of sources, including strength, anthropometry, and neurology, underlining that asymmetry and poor alignment lead to increased energy expenditure, and decreased muscular efficiency, which ultimately leads to increased stress and fatigue. The risk of injury in lower limbs was also previously associated to a multivariate nature, Hägglund et al. [15] indicated intrinsic risk factors such as poor flexibility, previous injury, older age, and decreased muscle imbalance or strength, and extrinsic risk factors, namely match play association with an increased rate of muscle injury, referring to the evidence that muscle injuries occur more frequently toward the end of matches.
More recently, Read et al. [22] evaluated male soccer players from the Qatar Stars League, categorizing the asymmetry thresholds in the bent knee fall out test (BKFO) in a quartile perspective: Q1 (small ≤ 5.7%), Q2 (moderate = 5.8–12.5%), Q3 (12.6–20.9%) and Q4 (≥215) and it was also previously found that bilateral difference in concentric knee extensor torque measured at 240° per second is related to faster times in a 40 m sprint [25]. Evaluating inter-limb asymmetries among athletes was indicated as crucial [26], thus, a detailed analysis of inter-limbs differences across a range of commonly used screening tests is very relevant to determine variable-specific thresholds for asymmetry.
Likewise, the relationship between different common screening tests performed in preseason may shed light about possibilities for performance enhancement and injury risk prevention. Understanding whether inter-limb asymmetries are associated to high-level senior and professional soccer players is of great interest for soccer teams and research, as studies that compare to younger soccer players are scarce due to high training frequency and massive competitive schedule. Hence, the aim of the present study was to examine inter-limb asymmetries in common screening tests performed during preseason by high-level senior and professional soccer players and to analyze the relationship between the performance in the different tests.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

Nineteen high-level senior and professional soccer players (23.2 ± 3.1 years of age; 181 ± 0.06 cm of height; 75.2 ± 4.8 kg of body mass; minimum 12 years of training experience), were involved in the study. All athletes maintained regular training (3–4 h per day, 5 days per week) in the preceding 12 months before participation in the research. Subjects were free from injury three months prior to data collection and at the time of testing. The soccer team squad was composed by 26 players. The reasons associated with non-participation of seven players were: injury associated to surgical intervention in the 18 months before data collection or injury associated to absent from training more than 7 days in the 12 months before testing.
The research was conducted according to the international ethical standards for sport and exercise science research [27] and in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was submitted to the Ethical Committee of São Paulo State University (UNESP), which was registered and approved under (CAAE: 02523412.4.0000.5398, final report no: 237.707). Institutional authorization was obtained prior to approaching the athletes, and all these, of legal age, provided written informed consent.

2.2. Study Design

Subjects were tested in 2020–2021 preseason (August 2020), to avoid circadian rhythms effect at the same time of day on the two testing moments, each separated by 24 h. All players were to refrain from intense training at least 48 h prior to data collection and arrived at the gym wearing comfortable athletic clothing.
Prior to testing, each participant performed a dynamic warm-up, which all participants were accustomed in daily practice. Body mass (kg) was assessed on a calibrated physician scale (Seca 786 Culta, Milan, Italy). Height (cm) was measured on a measurement platform (Seca 274, Milan, Italy).

2.3. Procedures

The first session was utilized to familiarize all participants with testing procedures, providing the opportunity to soccer players to practice as they wanted, even though in all cases, participants were instructed to practice each test a minimum of five times. Data collection occurred in the second session.
Tests were performed in a standardized order. Firstly, the participants received standardized instructions orally regarding the test execution, the staff and research team members also demonstrated the test performance. All subjects then completed one trial with feedback and, if necessary, received further visual, oral and/or manual instructions guidance. This was performed to guarantee full interpretation of the test performance and to confirm that the test result did not reflect the subject’s unfamiliarity with the movement.
Afterward, athletes performed the tests, simultaneously assessed by two observers. As communication is a relevant element in the coach–athlete relationship [28] and may influence players performance, during the testing no motivational communication occurred, and the observers were blinded to each other’s scores.
All tests were performed twice, and the arithmetic mean considered, except in Y-balance test (YBT) where three attempts were performed for anterior (A), posterolateral (PL) and posteromedial (PM) reach.

2.4. Testing Description

2.4.1. Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (DLT)

The test was completed with weight discharge, placing the anterior extremity of the foot perpendicularly in contact with the wall and the knee also supported on the wall. Subjects were then asked to remove the foot from the wall by sliding it back so that the knee did not lose contact with the wall and the heel of the tested foot did not lose contact with the ground. The maximum distance between the anterior extremity of the foot and the wall was measured with tape measure. Distances shorter than 9 to 10 cm suggest dorsiflexion restriction, and this test was previously indicated as predictive of future soccer injuries [29].

2.4.2. Bent Knee Fall Out (BKFO)

Used to measure hip range of motion combining hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The BKFO test is performed in a crook lying position. The knees are flexed to a 90° position using a universal goniometer. Afterward, the knees are moved outward while keeping the soles of the feet together. At the end of the range of movement, gentle overpressure is given by the examiner to ensure a relaxed position. The distance from the fibular head to the top of the table is then measured in cm with a semirigid tape measure to the nearest 0.5 cm.

2.4.3. Y-Balance Test (YBT)

The test is important to measure the single-leg balance ability, distance reached by the lower limb in three directions (A, PL, and PM) from the single-leg standing position with the subject’s hand placed on the hip. This instrument was used to assess lower limb stability with procedures according with Plisky et al. [18] protocol. The soccer player stood in monopodal stance in the center of an inverted Y-shape on the leg to be evaluated. Three attempts were performed for each reaching direction. The distance was measured in cm, and the arithmetic mean of three attempts made in each range was calculated [30].

2.4.4. Heel-Rise Test (HRT)

Athletes performed a maximal number of single-legged heel rises on an 10° incline (e.g., slight dorsiflexion position). To assist balance, subjects were permitted to apply fingertip support at shoulder height on a wall in front of them. Heel-rise cycle cadence was controlled at 60 per minute by a metronome, which corresponds to an ankle angular velocity of approximately 60° per second. Individuals were instructed to lift the heel as high as possible for each heel rise until no further repetitions could be performed, keeping the knee and trunk straight. The test was concluded when subjects could no longer: (1) lift the stance heel from the incline or repeat a complete heel-rise cycle; (2) maintain the set pace, knee angle or trunk position; or (3) rely on fingertip support for balance and used the wall to assist performance. The number of correct heel-rises completed was counted for each leg and used as outcome score.

2.4.5. Single Leg Hamstring Bridge Test (SLHBT)

Athletes lied down on the ground with one heel on a 60 cm high box (knee flexed to approximately 20° and hip flexed to approximately 45°). Players were then instructed to push down through the heel to lift their bottom off the ground while holding their arms crossed over their chest. Repetition was considered regular when the individual touched the ground and then extended their hip to 0° without resting on the ground. This is a strength endurance hamstring test where the individual performs repetitions until exhaustion, and the test ends when: (1) technique becomes irregular, or (2) the individual cannot proceed with the test due to fatigue. The number of successful repetitions for each leg (right and left) is the main outcome measure of the test.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The sample size required was determined beforehand (GPower, v.3.1.9, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany). All data was initially computed as means and standard deviations (SD) in Microsoft Excel™ and all additional analyses computed in SPSS v.25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The Shapiro–Wilk test was performed to check the normality of data. The comparison between the data obtained with the left and right lower limb was made through the t-test. The effect size (ES) was calculated through Cohens d, having been considered trivial (0–0.2), small (0.2–0.6), moderate (0.6–1.2), large (1.2–2), very large (2–4) and extremally large (>4) [31]. Linear regression models between different test results were computed. Trendline equation and determination coefficient (R2) were calculated. The session reliability of test measures was computed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with absolute agreement and 95% confidence interval. Interpretation of ICC values was in accordance with previous research [32], where values >0.9 = excellent, 0.75–0.9 = good, 0.5–0.75 = moderate, and <0.5 = poor. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was used to test the relationships between the study variables. Statistical significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05.

3. Results

High levels of reliability (ICC > 0.88 and <0.94) were observed in all the studied variables. Descriptive statistics displaying mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD) of performance in all tests and mean difference between lower limbs (right—R/left—L) in percentage (%) and unit are presented in Table 1.
DLT (L) was correlated to YBT A (L) (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) and YBT PM (L) (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), the same was observed regarding the same tests and right lower limb (r = 0.51, p < 0.05 and r = 0.59, p < 0.01, respectively). Inter-limb significant differences were observed in DLT and YBT PM tests (p < 0.01). The linear regressions with r2 values between the lower limbs are shown in Figure 1.
DLT inter-limb performance was significantly different (p < 0.01); despite that, regression analysis adjusted r2 value (0.94) indicated a good estimation model, contrary to the observed in YBT PM test considering inter-limb relationship (0.58). No difference in-between limbs were observed in endurance tests related to Hamstring and Calf muscles (SLHBT and HRT, respectively). Figure 2 depicts the regression analysis adjusted r2 values supporting the results, indicating a fairly good estimation model.
YBT A (L) was correlated to YBT PL (L) (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) and YBT PM (L) (r = 0.84, p < 0.01). YBT A (R) was correlated to YBT PM (R) (r = 0.47, p < 0.01) and SLHBT (R) (r = −0.49, p < 0.05). YBT PL (R) was only correlated to YBT PM (R) (r = 0.66, p < 0.01). SLHBT (L) was also only correlated to HRT (L) (r = 0.77, p < 0.01).
YBT A, HRT and SLHBT presented trivial ES (0.03; 0.07 and 0.13, respectively), contrary to DLT, BKFO and YBT PL, all with small ES (0.20; −0.23 and −0.22) and YBT PM, which revealed very large ES (2.91). Schematic representation of ES in the different tests is shown in Figure 3.

4. Discussion

The purpose of this study was to examine inter-limb asymmetries in common screening tests performed during preseason by high-level senior and professional soccer players and to analyze the relationship between the performance in the different tests. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study which comprehensively investigates a large number of common screening tests in preseason with high-level senior and professional soccer players to evaluate inter-limb asymmetries and the relationship between the performance in all of them. The major findings were: (i) considering all the common performed screening tests, high-level senior and professional soccer players reveal good inter-limb levels of symmetry; (ii) inter-limb differences were different in the performed tests, with inter-limbs statistically significant differences only observed in DLT and YBT PM; (iii) correlations between performance in the tests highlight that tendentially, the improvement of performance in one test may led to improvements in other tests; (iv) detailed and individual analysis is of relevant importance when analyzing high-level senior and professional soccer players.
Soccer requires specific development of each player considering the individual and group perspectives, namely efficient collective organization [33], associated with complexity in collective and individual actions performed by the players [34]. This team sport is associated to dynamic movements such as quick changes-of-direction, impulsive reactions, and short and long sprints, involving repetitive turning, stopping, and jumping motions [35], various of these and other skills requiring players to frequently repeat the execution of unilateral and asymmetric movements (e.g., kicking and changing direction). The limb differences in athletes may be related to the asymmetric motor demands, resulting in functional asymmetric adaptions [36] to allow them to perform within their sport [37], as performance enhancement is closely and decisively related with athlete’s performance in training and competition, which is associated to the accuracy in identifying training task intensities towards the optimization of daily preparation [38].
Recent research evidenced larger inter-limb asymmetry to be related with reduced physical performance measures in athletes [39,40,41], compromising technical efficiency in sports activities. Björklund et al. [42] found maximum HRT counts mean values of 40 ± 10 in the right limb and 39 ± 10 in the left limb in well-trained male cross-country skiers (21.7 ± 3.8 years of age) and in elite junior soccer plyers (17.7 ± 0.5 years of age), after a 10-week training program associated to Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) and Russian belt (RB), higher performances in SLHB were associated to NHE compared to RB training in right (49.12 ± 11.48 reps vs. 48.13 ± 10.30 reps) and left lower limbs (51.31 ± 11.83 reps vs. 50.33 ± 11.98 reps) [43].
With respect to DLT, dominant lower limb mean scores of 10.2 ± 3.2 cm and non-dominant of 10.1 ± 3.1 cm were monitored in professional soccer players competing in Qatar Stars League (24.4 ± 4.7 years of age), moreover, and considering BKFO, dominant and non-dominant lower limb mean scores of 14.0 ± 4.0 cm and 13.9 ± 4.2 cm, respectively, were also observed in the soccer players [44]. Considering YBT and the different lower limbs, Shaffer et al. [45] observed similar inter-limb performances in active military during training (ages between 18 and 35 years old, 53 males and 11 females) considering A (left 57.8 ± 6.8 cm vs. right 57.6 ± 7.1 cm) PL (left 93.2 ± 8.5 cm vs. right 92.5 ± 9.0 cm) and PM reach (left 88.3 ± 8.5 cm vs. right 89.1 ± 9.4 cm). The performances in our study with high-level senior and professional soccer players are close related to the observed in these studies, but globally better, evidence that we attribute to the level of training and in some cases also to the difference of age.
It has also previously been suggested that inter-limb asymmetries may be a result of the time spent competing in the same sport [46,47], and as they are task variable and physical quality specific, no expectations should exist regarding the observation of the same inter-limbs differences across different screening tests [24]. The results of this study corroborate with this assumption, as inter-limb differences were different in the performed tests, with inter-limbs statistically significant differences only observed in DLT and YBT PM. It should be noted that despite this finding, the regression analysis adjusted r2 value in DLT revealed a good estimation model (0.94), and although the mean YBT PM scores were close (L = 94.02 ± 7.06 cm vs. R = 94.93 ± 6.29 cm) the regression analysis adjusted r2 value and more specifically the ES revealed inter-limb asymmetries. These findings highlight that a detailed and individual analysis is of relevant importance when analyzing high-level senior and professional soccer players.
It was also highlighted by other authors that inter-limb asymmetries of >15% in eccentric hamstrings strength are related to an increased injury incidence [48,49]. Thus, it is plausible that the prevalence of HSI may somewhat be influenced by their biarticular organization, the dual innervations of the biceps femoris and their muscle fiber-type distribution [50]. These anatomical characteristics negatively influences running coordination patterns, increasing the injury risk during running actions and eccentric muscle contractions [51], and coaches and practitioners should also consider that contraction timings and the chronic vs. acute load ratios, or accumulated loads, have a greater influence in injury risk, and consequently, should be considered in injury prevention programs.
In the past, it was also indicated that HSI occurred more frequently toward the end of each half of a 90 min soccer game (e.g., 30–45 min and 75–90 min) [52,53]. One possible explanation regarding this topic relates to the evidence that differences in HSI between young and adult professional English soccer players may be partially justified by the evidence that professional players are able to self-pace when they perceive that an injury might occur, preventing muscle strains that may result in muscle tears [54]. It has also been stressed that the main etiological factors for the development of HSI include poor hamstring quadriceps ratio, the recurrence of previous injuries, muscle fatigue, and reduced hamstring flexibility [16,55,56].
Our findings demonstrate that considering all the common screening tests performed by high-level senior and professional soccer players in our study, these reveal good inter-limb levels of symmetry with results in SLHBT associated to trivial ES. The performance in SLHBT in our study (L = 62.63 ± 30.03 reps vs. R = 59.11 ± 22.90 reps) was better compared to pre intervention period in Gaelic footballers, which revealed mean values in twelve athletes below the 40 repetitions [57]. This evidence supports the notion that specific dynamics associated to different sports may influence performance in common screening tests, in our study the endurance tests associated to Hamstrings and Calf muscles (SLHBT and HRT, respectively) revealed no significant differences and trivial ES. Another interesting finding was the correlation between performances in tests, evidencing that tendentially, the improvement of performance in one test may lead to improvements in other tests. This was particularly evident in YBT relationships between and with DLT and SLHBT, with this last presenting correlations in addition to YBT only with HRT, which highlights the biomechanical specificity between these tests associated to important muscles in soccer.
It should also be considered that the YBT test, and in particular the anterior reach direction, may be considered important given its association with injury risk [19,58]. More recently, anterior reach asymmetry was the unique YBT variable significantly associated with non-contact injury in collegiate athletes [58]. We have noticed in our study that YBT mean scores in the different perspectives (A, PL and PM reach) were always very close but further analysis revealed trivial ES in YBT A (L = 75.77 ± 6.27 cm vs. R = 75.96 ± 6.44 cm), small ES in YBT PL (L = 96.30 ± 5.13 cm vs. R = 95.11 ± 5.50 cm) and very large ES in YBT PM (L = 94.02 ± 7.06 cm vs. R = 94.93 ± 6.29 cm). These findings suggest that YBT scores although related, are task specific and that a deeper and individualized analysis is required in high-level senior and professional soccer players to determine inter-limb asymmetries.
Previous studies demonstrated that balance training should considered and incorporated in all stages of the athlete development, because balance training-induced improvements may support young athletes during the acquisition phase of complex movements and skills, and to withstand the demands of long-term athletic training and competition [59,60]. Thus, not only balance training but also flexibility and strength-training programs should be considered during soccer player training stages, as strength-training has been previously associated to a protective effect on injury severity [61]. Injury prevention strategies during daily practice are fundamental in soccer, namely in senior level because older age players can continue with soccer activity regardless of the presence of pain and reduced function, which is associated to increasing muscle damage [62].
It was stated that overall injuries are associated to two peaks in youth soccer players across a single season in September and January [8] and that the premature return to play of professional athletes may result in reinjuries [63], what is related to the evidence that training load in professional players is different compared to young players, and consequently, injury rates increase with age in male youth soccer players [52]. As injuries have an unfavorable impact on physical performance, a well-established preseason protocol associated to detailed analysis of the performed tests, would offer soccer teams and practitioners with more concrete information concerning their importance for soccer players performance enhancement and injury prevention. In our opinion this is pivotal not only for soccer, but for sport coaches as they play a key role in designing training sessions [64].
Some limitations should be considered when interpreting the findings of this study: (a) participants were high-level senior and professional soccer players, which is related to the possibility that the results cannot be directly applied to other age categories and soccer players of other levels; (b) the research was conducted in the beginning of the season (preseason, August), consequently, the commons screening tests protocols and results should not be applicable in other moments such as competitive moments. Future studies should consider increasing the sample size, in the sense of not being considered pilot studies, and explore the possibility to extend data collection in more teams of the same soccer league. It would also be interesting to investigate strength variables and evaluate other age categories and woman’s soccer players. We also suggest that future studies consider the inclusion of acute and chronic loads and the evaluation of contraction of the musculature. Lastly, dominant, and non-dominant limb, playing positions analysis and intervention strategies should be considered to effectively address the inter-limb asymmetry concerns.

5. Conclusions

High-level senior and professional soccer players present fairly good mean values of lower limb symmetry. Although, it should be noted that an in-depth and accurate analysis of performance should be considered aiming detecting injury risk. This study also revealed the need for an individual approach to data analysis.
Performance considering all tests was different, a fact associated with different biomechanical dynamics (e.g., YBT), nonetheless, the correlations between tests underline the relationship between these, which could represent important evidence to consider for injury prevention and performance enhancement programs.
The longitudinal tracking of performance in common screening tests in high-level senior and professional soccer players may be crucial to understanding their importance as part of a continued monitoring process with athletes. Finally, soccer club structure (chairs, directors, team managers, coaches, and others) should consider that regular training monitorization is vital and the collaborative work developed by professionals of difference areas such as sport sciences, physiotherapy and biomedical technology may represent an important support in the definition of assessment protocols and development of technology to improve the detection and prevention of injuries and, at the same time, improve sports performance.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.J.S. and M.C.E.; methodology, F.J.S., M.C.E. and A.J.V.; formal analysis, F.J.S., M.C.E., A.J.V. and C.C.F.; investigation, F.J.S., M.C.E. and I.S.M.; supervision, F.J.S., M.C.E. and A.J.V.; data curation, F.J.S., M.C.E. and I.S.M.; writing—original draft preparation, M.C.E., I.S.M., D.M.P.F. and C.E.L.V.; writing—review and editing, F.J.S., M.C.E., A.J.V., I.S.M., C.C.F., D.M.P.F. and C.E.L.V.; visualization, F.J.S., M.C.E., A.J.V., I.S.M., C.C.F., D.M.P.F. and C.E.L.V.; funding acquisition, F.J.S. and M.C.E. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Grant/Award Number UIDB/04748/2020. M.C.E. acknowledges the financial support from Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study considered the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines and was submitted to the Ethical Committee of São Paulo State University (UNESP), which was registered and approved under (CAAE: 02523412.4.0000.5398, final report n°: 237.707).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all participants in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding and first author ([email protected] and [email protected]), upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Symmetry 13 01805 g001 550
Figure 1. Inter-limb linear regression of dorsiflexion lunge test and y-balance posteromedial test.
Figure 1. Inter-limb linear regression of dorsiflexion lunge test and y-balance posteromedial test.
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Symmetry 13 01805 g002 550
Figure 2. Inter-limb linear regression of single leg hamstring bridge test and heel-rise test.
Figure 2. Inter-limb linear regression of single leg hamstring bridge test and heel-rise test.
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Figure 3. Dorsiflexion lunge test (DLT); bent knee fall out (BKFO); Y-balance anterior test (YBT A); Y-balance posterolateral test (YBT PL); Y-balance posteromedial test (YBT PM); heel-rise test (HRT); single leg hamstring bridge test (SLHBT). ES are considered trivial (0–0.2), small (0.2–0.6), moderate (0.6–1.2), large (1.2–2), very large (2–4) and extremely large (>4) (Cohen’s d).
Figure 3. Dorsiflexion lunge test (DLT); bent knee fall out (BKFO); Y-balance anterior test (YBT A); Y-balance posterolateral test (YBT PL); Y-balance posteromedial test (YBT PM); heel-rise test (HRT); single leg hamstring bridge test (SLHBT). ES are considered trivial (0–0.2), small (0.2–0.6), moderate (0.6–1.2), large (1.2–2), very large (2–4) and extremely large (>4) (Cohen’s d).
Symmetry 13 01805 g003
Table
Table 1. Performance in the tests with percentage and unit differences.
Table 1. Performance in the tests with percentage and unit differences.
TestM ± SDMean Dif
(L vs. R)
(%)		Mean Dif
(L vs. R)
Unit
DLT (L) (cm)12.00 ± 3.78 *6.140.74
DLT (R) (cm)12.74 ± 3.55 *
BKFO (L) (cm)19.72 ± 3.423.790.72
BKFO (R) (cm)19.00 ± 2.92
YBT A (L) (cm)75.77 ± 6.270.250.19
YBT A (R) (cm)75.96 ± 6.43
YBT PL (L) (cm)96.30 ± 5.131.251.19
YBT PL (R) (cm)95.11 ± 5.50
YBT PM (L) (cm)94.02 ± 7.06 #0.970.91
YBT PM (R) (cm)94.93 ± 6.29 #
HRT (L) (reps)40.58 ± 18.512.941.16
HRT (R) (reps)39.42 ± 15.82
SLHBT (L) (reps)62.63 ± 30.035.973.52
SLHBT (R) (reps)59.11 ± 22.90
Dorsiflexion lunge test (DLT); bent knee fall out (BKFO); Y-balance anterior test (YBT A); Y-balance posterolateral test (YBT PL); Y-balance posteromedial test (YBT PM); heel-rise test (HRT); single leg hamstring bridge test (SLHBT); *,# significant difference (p < 0.01).
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Santos, F.J.; Valido, A.J.; Malcata, I.S.; Ferreira, C.C.; Pessôa Filho, D.M.; Verardi, C.E.L.; Espada, M.C. The Relationship between Preseason Common Screening Tests to Identify Inter-Limb Asymmetries in High-Level Senior and Professional Soccer Players. Symmetry 2021, 13, 1805. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101805

AMA Style

Santos FJ, Valido AJ, Malcata IS, Ferreira CC, Pessôa Filho DM, Verardi CEL, Espada MC. The Relationship between Preseason Common Screening Tests to Identify Inter-Limb Asymmetries in High-Level Senior and Professional Soccer Players. Symmetry. 2021; 13(10):1805. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101805

Chicago/Turabian Style

Santos, Fernando J., Aníbal J. Valido, Inês S. Malcata, Cátia C. Ferreira, Dalton M. Pessôa Filho, Carlos E. L. Verardi, and Mário C. Espada. 2021. "The Relationship between Preseason Common Screening Tests to Identify Inter-Limb Asymmetries in High-Level Senior and Professional Soccer Players" Symmetry 13, no. 10: 1805. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101805

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