The Use of Between-Leg Asymmetries in Jump Performance as a Screening Tool in Female Team Sport Athletes

The Use of Between-Leg Asymmetries in Jump Performance as a Screening Tool in Female Team Sport Athletes

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS, deep squat [DS], hurdle step, in-line lunge [ILL], shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up [TSPU], rotary stability) assesses individual movement capabilities. Unilateral jumps, and between-leg asymmetries, are also used for screening. Relationships between an established screening protocol (FMS) and unilateral jump asymmetries have not been investigated. Both male and female team sport athletes require a range ofdifferent physical abilities. This includes the ability to repeatedly sprint during a game, to effectively change direction when sprinting, and jump maximally in a variety of directions. With leg power being a foundation for these qualities, it is important for the individual to be able to transmit force from the ground through the body, and do so in a functionally efficient way. Functional movement has been defined as the ability to perform basic locomotor, manipulative, and stabilizing actions, while maintaining control along the kinetic chain. This is an important consideration for team sport athletes as movements that are limited by functional immobility or weaknesses can predispose an individual to injury or lead to ineffective movements.