Search Results (39)

Maintaining body symmetry in sports characterized by high lateralization is crucial for optimizing long-term athletic performance and mitigating injury risk. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of morphological asymmetry in anthropometric features among elite professional fencers. Additionally, the presence of functional asymmetry and its associations with morphological asymmetry were assessed. Thirty-two Polish adult female fencers, aged 18–33 yrs, were examined. Data collection involved a questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurements, calculation of anthropological indices, and assessment of functional asymmetry. For the 24 bilateral anthropometric features, small differences were found in seven characteristics: foot length, subscapular skinfold thickness, upper arm circumference, minimum and maximum forearm circumference, upper limb length, and arm circumference in tension. Morphological asymmetry index did not exceed 5%. Left-sided lateralization of either the upper or lower limbs was associated with significantly high asymmetry, specifically indicating larger minimum forearm circumferences in the right limb. Continuous, individualized monitoring of morphological asymmetry and its direction in athletes is essential, demanding concurrent consideration of functional lateralization. This ongoing assessment establishes a critical baseline for evaluating training adaptations, reducing injury susceptibility, and optimizing rehabilitation strategies. Deeper investigation of symmetry within non-dominant limbs is warranted to enhance our understanding. Full article

Background: Nearly half of under-five deaths are linked to undernutrition. Most evidence on undernutrition relies on conventional anthropometric measures. Conventional anthropometric measures fail to capture its overlapping forms and are limited in providing the true burden and distinct disaggregated patterns of undernutrition. Using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF), this study aims to provide updated regional and country-level pooled prevalence estimates of the overall burden and various single and coexisting patterns of undernutrition among children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: We systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2006 and October 2023. Studies reporting the prevalence of aggregated CIAF or any of the disaggregated forms of CIAF (stunting only, wasting only, underweight only, stunting-underweight, wasting-underweight, and stunting-wasting-underweight) based on the 2006 World Health Organisation (WHO) growth standard were included. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Pooled prevalences of various categories of undernutrition were estimated using a random effect model meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among the included studies. Publication bias was checked using the Asymmetry funnel plot and Egger’s test. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023458796). Result: This systematic review and meta-analysis identified 3898 published studies from the database search, of which 26 were included. In SSA, the overall pooled prevalence of undernutrition among children was 37.45% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 31.97, 42.92). Of these, 10% (95% CI: 8.02, 11.98) of children experienced at least one coexisting form, and 25.5% (95% CI: 16.78, 33.72) experienced at least one single form of undernutrition. Stunting only [22.32% (95% CI: 18.26, 26.39)] was the most prevalent disaggregated pattern of undernutrition, followed by the coexistence of stunting with underweight [10.15% (95% CI: 8.17, 12.13)]. Conclusions: Over one in three children in SSA experienced at least one form of undernutrition. Nearly one-third of these undernourished children were affected by multiple forms of undernutrition. The high prevalence of coexisting undernutrition indicates the need to develop multi-indicator nutrition strategies that could simultaneously address the various dimensions of undernutrition in children. Full article

Background/objective: Tennis involves repetitive overhead movements, and understanding the relationship between shoulder mobility, dynamic stability, and isometric strength could be crucial for developing targeted training programmes to enhance performance and reduce injury risk. This study aimed to assess shoulder rotational mobility, dynamic stability, and isometric strength profiles in elite and national-level tennis players. Methods: Twenty-four male and female athletes were grouped by competitive level: National-Level Female Group (NFG); National-Level Male Group (NMG); and Elite Male Group (EMG). Shoulder isometric strength was evaluated using an electromechanical dynamometer (Dynasystem), while rotational mobility and dynamic stability were assessed using standardised protocols. Results: Significant anthropometric differences in height, weight, and leg length were identified between NFG and the other groups (p < 0.001). NMG showed reduced external rotation compared to NFG and EMG in the dominant shoulder (p < 0.05). EMG exhibited significant asymmetries in external rotation between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders, which may be attributed to higher training volumes (p < 0.05; ES = 0.994). No significant differences were found in isometric strength across the groups, although NFG showed lower internal rotation strength and ER/IR ratio asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant shoulder (p < 0.05). Dynamic stability scores were consistently low, with asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant sides in most cases. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for targeted training to address asymmetries and enhance dynamic stability. Caution is advised when generalising these results due to the limited sample size. Future research should include more participants and explore associations with performance metrics, such as serve speed and playing style. Full article

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine changes in facial soft tissue asymmetry over time in patients after Class II orthognathic surgery using three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry. Methods: The study consists of 54 patients with a skeletal Class II malocclusion (32 female, 22 male; mean age, 33.2 years). Three-dimensional photographic data were collected using the 3dMD Trio stereophotogrammetry system. The evaluation of 21 anthropometric landmark positions was conducted before surgery (T0), 6 months (T1), and 12 months (T2) after surgery. Facial asymmetry was classified as mild (0–2 mm), moderate (3–5 mm), or severe (>5 mm). Results: There was a small difference in the mean distance when analyzing the asymmetry of the whole face. The 3D measurements showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between T0 versus T1 and T2 time-point values. Prior to surgery, males exhibited a higher degree of soft tissue asymmetry compared to females. The chin volume asymmetry score was higher in the females of the cohort and patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery (median 1.11) than in the males of the cohort and patients undergoing single-jaw surgery (median 1.08); however, these differences were not statistically different. Conclusions: The findings indicate that soft tissue asymmetry may become altered within a 6-month period following surgery. Full article

Background: The pelvic girdle is an important component of the human stabilization system, both during the maintenance of an upright standing position and during motor activities. Frequent functional and structural asymmetries within it can affect the structure and function of many organs and systems of the human body. The mechanism of their occurrence is not fully explained. The objective of the present study was to verify the hypothesis regarding the relationship between the value of pelvic asymmetry and the functional state of muscles that stabilize the lumbo–pelvic–hip complex, as measured by changes in their stiffness. Methods: The study group consisted of 40 young women aged from 19 to 29 years. The observational cross-sectional study incorporated the following elements: an interview, an anthropometric test, an inclinometric assessment of the magnitude of hip girdle rotation utilizing a duometer and tensiomyography. Results: Analysis of the variables examined in subjects with symmetric or rotated pelvises did not show significant differences between the studied sides in the two groups. Evaluation of associations between the magnitude of pelvic rotation and tensiomyography findings showed that with increased pelvic rotation, the stiffness of the back extensor muscles and the rectus thigh muscles increased only slightly bilaterally, and the contraction rate of the rectus abdominis and biceps thigh muscles decreased. Conclusions: The results of the tensiomyography study did not unequivocally demonstrate that changes in pelvic symmetry in the transverse plane are associated with dysfunction of the muscles that stabilize the pelvic girdle. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the link between the Q angle, knee hyperextension, flexibility, strength profiles and injury occurrence in female adolescent soccer players. Methods: Thirty adolescent female soccer players (age range: 15–17 years; age: 15.47 ± 0.73 years; weight: 55.91 ± 7.44 kg; height: 160.01 ± 5.58 cm) were recruited for the study. The tests were conducted before the pre-season preparation period, and the players were monitored from the beginning to the end of the season. This study included players who sustained non-contact injuries throughout the season as well as those who did not sustain any injuries for comparison purposes. Players underwent an anthropometric assessment (height, weight, body fat, Q angle, knee hyperextension) and completed a sit-and-reach test and an isokinetic assessment at 60°/s. Results: The results showed that 36.67% of players sustained a non-contact injury during the season. Based on the isokinetic assessment at 60°/s, significant differences were observed between the two groups in the torque production of the right and left knee extensors [t(28) = 2.32, p = 0.03, d = 0.81 (large effect)] and the right and left knee flexors [t(28) = 2.04, p = 0.05, d = 0.71 (medium effect)], with the injured group demonstrating significantly greater interlimb asymmetries in torque between the right and left knee extensors, as well as the right and left knee flexors. Also, the injured group demonstrated significantly higher knee hyperextension values for both the right [t(28) = 6.12, p < 0.05, d = 2.22 (large effect)] and left legs [t(28) = 5.72, p < 0.05, d = 2.15 (large effect)]. Conclusions: interlimb asymmetries and knee hyperextension may contribute to the occurrence of lower body non-contact injuries in adolescent female soccer players. Full article

Background/Objectives: The evaluation of body asymmetry between the right and left sides of the body is crucial in the context of sports because of its potential impact on performance and injury prevention. This study analyzed the anthropometric differences between the right and left sides of the body in adolescent (13.0 [2.0] years) male canoeists and kayakers from Spain. This study aimed to explore the asymmetries associated with these disciplines. Methods: Anthropometric assessments were carried out on 27 male adolescents (13 canoeists and 14 kayakers). A total of 58 anthropometric variables were assessed, including 23 pairs of bilateral variables and 12 unilateral measurements. The evaluations included basic measures, skinfolds, girths, lengths, and breadths. Relative differences between sides were calculated via the bilateral asymmetry index (%BAI). Nonparametric tests, such as the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, were applied. Results: Comparisons between body sides within the groups revealed significant asymmetries in the subscapular skinfold (p = 0.010) in canoeists and in the mid-thigh girth (p = 0.041) in kayakers. Among the groups, differences were found in the subscapular skinfold (p = 0.010) and the bicep skinfold (p = 0.038) on the right side. Conclusions: Although significant differences were found in some variables, no distinctive profile of the differences between canoeists and kayakers was established in the categories analyzed. These results suggest that, in general, body asymmetries do not significantly distinguish between these disciplines within the sample studied. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of these differences for performance and injury prevention in specific adolescent sports contexts. Full article

Gait stability prevents falls and injuries during physical activities. Muscle strength, aging, and co-existing chronic diseases are factors that affect gait stability. Leptin is an adipokine with pro-inflammatory properties. Several reports demonstrated an association between serum leptin and a reduction in muscle strength. Given the above relationships, we hypothesized that serum leptin could be associated with gait stability. To test this, 146 apparently healthy university students were recruited. Data collection involved anthropometric measurements, physical activity (PA) data, gait parameters, and serum leptin levels. A gait instability index was derived from the percentages of double support time and walking asymmetry (WA) collected from smartphones. Females demonstrated higher leptin levels and WA despite a lower body mass index (BMI). Lower PA levels were also observed among females. Leptin levels were negatively correlated with WA, step count, and vigorous PA (p < 0.05). These correlations remained significant following correction for leptin by BMI. Using logistic regression, a higher leptin-to-BMI ratio was associated with high gait instability (OR = 9.97, 95%CI: 4.17−23.84, p < 0.001). After stratification by sex, this association was only evident among females (OR = 6.09, 95%CI: 1.04−35.56, p = 0.045). These findings suggest a sex-based association between serum leptin and gait stability among apparently healthy students. Full article

Background: The current study examined whether there is an association between the dominant leg (DL) and the side of angle trunk rotation (ATR) and evaluated postural asymmetries and anthropometric characteristics between adolescent male soccer players and non-athletes across different age groups (11–14 years). Methods: This study included 502 male participants: 291 soccer players (age: 13 ± 2 years; height: 158 ± 17 cm; weight: 50.6 ± 12 kg) and 211 non-athletes (age: 13 ± 2 years; height: 158.3 ± 11 cm; weight: 50.5 ± 21 kg). The participants were categorized into four age groups: 11, 12, 13, and 14 years. Using a scoliometer, the primary (A) and secondary (B) ATR measurements were recorded and categorized into subgroups of 0–2, 3–5, and ≥6 degrees. A Chi-square test and a Mann–Whitney U-test were employed to analyze the raw data. Results: In soccer players, a significant association was found between the DL and primary ATR (p < 0.001). Conversely, non-athletes exhibited a significant association between the DL and secondary ATR only (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the anthropometric characteristics and ATR for the 11-year-old boys (p > 0.05). For the 12-year-old boys, there was a significant difference in the ATR-A region (p < 0.01). For the 13-year-olds, significant differences were found in height, ATR-A region, ATR-B side, ATR-B region, and ATR-B degrees (p < 0.05). The 14-year-old soccer players demonstrated significant differences in ATR metrics compared with non-athletes in the same age group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The results indicate that older adolescent soccer players exhibited a higher ATR tendency compared to non-athletes. This suggests that daily soccer training and DL usage contribute to increase postural asymmetries and physical development variations in adolescence. These findings underscore the necessity for monitoring body posture health in athletes during the early period of adolescence in an attempt to mitigate the potential negative long-term impacts on their life. Full article

Objectives: We aimed to create a predictive model to estimate sciatic nerve depth using anthropometric and demographic data to enhance safety and precession in needle-based interventions. Setting: The study was conducted at Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain. Methods: A Cross-sectional observational study was carried out between January and April 2024. The study included fifty volunteers aged 18–45 years, without any muscle tone affections, lower limb asymmetries, or history of lower limb surgeries. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected, including sex, age, height, weight, BMI, and leg length measure and thigh circumference at specific points. The sciatic nerve depth was measured using ultrasound imaging under the gluteal fold and in the posterior middle third of the thigh. Results: Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between thigh circumference at the proximal and middle third and sciatic nerve depth. A multiple linear regression model identified that the proximal thigh circumference was a significant predictor of sciatic nerve depth, explaining 44.5% of the variance. The variance increased to 49.7% when gender was added. The depth of the sciatic nerve in the middle third explained 38.2% of the variance. And the inclusion of gender in the model explained 40.8% of the variance for the middle third. Conclusions: This study identify significant predictors such as the thigh girth at the proximal and mid-third levels, gender, and the BMI. These findings suggest that clinicians can use these anthropometric measurements to estimate sciatic nerve depth more accurately, reducing the risk of accidental nerve injury and improve the precision and safety of needling procedures during invasive procedures. Full article

This study aimed to monitor the in-water and dryland interlimb asymmetry of young competitive swimmers throughout a full training macrocycle and verify possible associations with performance. Twenty-three young competitive swimmers (12.13 ± 0.74 years) were evaluated before (M1) and after (M2) a 16-week training macrocycle. The swimmers were timed at a 25 m front crawl (T25) and then evaluated in anthropometrics, mean peak (Fpeak) in-water forces and the shoulder internal rotator’s strength (IR) of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limbs. The symmetry index was computed for both in-water (SyI_water) and dryland (SyI_land) environments followed by the rate of force transfer (RFT) estimation. While the swimmers have grown in height, arm span and hand surface area, accompanied by an improvement in T25, the other variables remained unchanged after the 16 weeks. A significant and moderate association was found between FpeakD (r = −0.47) or FpeakND (r = −0.41) and T25, as well as between the IRD (r = −0.51) or IRND (r = −0.57) and T25 in M1. In M2, the non-dominant side gained relevance mostly in FpeakND, showing a significant and high association with T25 (r = −0.68), like the FpeakD (r = −0.69) and IRD (r = −0.53). Most of the individual plots (>80%) were under 30% of SyI_water, with the faster swimmer values between 10 and 30%. It can be concluded that a 16-week training macrocycle is not enough to change the young swimmers’ in-water and dryland symmetry, but this does not seem to affect their front crawl sprint performance. Full article

Background: School ergonomics is a subject of growing interest for the scientific community due to the health problems that it is associated with in students, mainly asymmetries in the spine due to the use of chairs and desks that are inadequate for their anthropometry. This study aimed to analyze the anthropometric characteristics and asymmetries among fifth- to ninth-grade students in Spain and Portugal, with the goal of obtaining data on the ideal height of seats and desks. Additionally, it evaluated the correspondence in the recommended sizes of chairs and desks according to the parameters of the European Union catalog and examined the suitability of the height as a criterion for the allocation of school furniture. Methods: Different anthropometric variables, including the height, popliteal height, shoulder-to-seat height, and elbow-to-seat height, were measured in a stratified sample of 500 students (mean age = 12.7 years, SD = 1.2) across different grades (fifth grade = 86, sixth grade = 106, seventh grade = 95, eighth grade = 89, ninth grade = 124), genders (males = 256, females = 244), and countries (Spain = 191, Portugal = 309). These measurements were used to calculate the average ideal seat and desk heights based on anthropometric formulas, which were then compared to the current furniture allocation practices. The statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-squared tests, and effect sizes, with adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results: The results revealed significant asymmetries and low correspondence in the allocation of chairs and desks of the same sizes to students, with a match rate ranging between 40% and 70%. Moreover, the correspondence was even lower when using a formula based solely on height, compared to formulas validated with specific anthropometric measures, particularly for desks, where the asymmetries reached 100% in some grades. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to improve the adaptation of school furniture to optimize student ergonomics and comfort, and they suggest disregarding the height as the primary criterion for furniture allocation. Additionally, assigning a desk size based on the recommended chair size is discouraged. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the static stabilometric parameters among elite fencers, were affected by prolonged, asymmetric training regimen. A sample of 26 elite fencers of both genders, aged 19.15 ± 2.24 years, practising one of the three disciplines foil, épée, or sabre, was recruited for the study. Anthropometric measurements including thigh and calf circumferences and postural assessment based on the weight distribution on a stabilimeter platform were performed. Postural tone, as indicated by measures such as sway length and sway area ratio was calculated.. No notable anthropometric asymmetries were detected within the examined group The weight distribution patterns on the support quadrants in static stabilometric measurements did not suggest clinically significant issues. There were no significant differences among subgroups based on gender and lower limb dominance for both anthropometric and stabilimeter variables. However, 30.8% of participants showed anomalies in postural tone (hypertonic and hypotonic condition). Five out of eight athletes found with abnormal postural tone were foil fencers, suggesting a potential discipline-specific effect. Individual adjustments were found in foil fencers. These findings provide insights into the potential effects of fencing training on postural parameters among elite athletes. Full article

The purpose of this study was to identify the asymmetries between the dimensions of the upper limbs, in relation to manual laterality, of the athletes who practice team sports with a ball and those who practice other sports without a ball. We consider the fact that ball handling influences the development of anthropometric parameters at the level of the upper limbs and especially at the level of the hand in correlation with the execution technique and with the characteristics of the practiced sport. This study included 161 student-athletes, who were male and right-handed, divided into two groups: the group of athletes practicing ball sports (G_BS) with 79 (49%) subjects and the group of athletes practicing non-ball sports (G_NBS) with 82 (51%) subjects. The anthropometric measurements of the upper limbs were performed on both sides (right and left): upper limb length, hand length, palm length, hand breadth, hand span, pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger and thumb. The most relevant symmetries, between the two groups, were recorded in the following anthropometric parameters on the right side (recording the smallest average differences): ring finger 0.412 cm and thumb 0.526 cm; for the left side, they were the ring finger 0.379 cm and thumb 0.518 cm. The biggest asymmetries between the two groups were recorded, for both the right and left sides, for the following parameters: upper limb length > 6 cm; hand span > 2 cm; and hand length > 1 cm. For all the anthropometric parameters analyzed, the athletes from the ball sports group (G_BS) recorded higher average values than those from the other group (G_NBS) for both upper limbs. The results of this study reflect the fact that handling the ball over a long period of time, starting from the beginning of practicing the sport until the age of seniority, causes changes in the anthropometric dimensions of the upper segments, causing asymmetries between the dominant (right) and the non-dominant (left) side. Full article

Oxidative potential and anaerobic capacity could be influential to the training regimen and performance of breath-hold diving (BHD) athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the differences in local muscle oxygenation between the lower limbs according to the muscle mass percentage in spearfishermen and freedivers. The sample of participants included 21 BHD athletes (13 freedivers; 8 spearfishermen; 4 females). Their chronological age was 35.5 ± 8.6 years, body mass was 79.3 ± 9.1 kg, and height was 182.5 ± 13.0 cm. Participants’ training experience was 10.6 ± 9.5 years. The variables in this study included anthropometric indices, the Wingate anaerobic test, and muscle oxygen dynamics parameters. The results show significant differences for freedivers between the lower limbs (muscle mass percentage, p < 0.00; minimal SmO₂%, p = 0.05; and maximal SmO₂%, p = 0.04). However, when observing only spearfisherman, there is only one significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant lower limb (percentage of lower limb muscle mass, 85.73 ± 2.42, 85.16 ± 2.40%, respectively; p = 0.02). The results of this study demonstrate that freedivers have significant asymmetries between the lower limbs in muscle oxygenation parameters when observing the lower limb dominance in relation to the percentage of muscle mass. These findings suggest different muscular oxygenation adaptations to the load set upon athletes. Full article