The Magnitude of Inter-limb Asymmetry and Its Assocation with Inter-limb Asymmetry in Distance Runners and Non-runners

Launched by VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL · Feb 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how differences in strength or ability between the two legs (called inter-limb asymmetry) might affect distance runners and their risk of injuries. The researchers want to find out if these differences are linked to running performance and if they can create a reliable way to measure this in runners of different experience levels, including novice, moderately trained, and highly trained runners, as well as non-runners. The goal is to better understand how these differences can impact running and help prevent injuries.

To participate, you need to be between the ages of 20 and 50 and free from any significant injuries for at least six months. If you're a runner, you should have been running a specific amount each month based on your experience level. Non-runners should have little to no experience with running in the past five years. Participants will undergo various tests to evaluate their leg strength and performance. This study is important because it aims to improve the understanding of how leg strength differences can affect runners and help provide better training and injury prevention strategies.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Being aged between 20 and 50 years at Tfamiliarization
• • Being free from any medical attention injury (i.e., injury that results in a participant receiving medical attention) for at least 6 months upon Tfamiliarization
• • Speaking Dutch, French or English
• * Highly trained distance runners:
• • Running at least 150km per month for at least 3 months
• Moderately-trained runners:
• • Running between 40 - 150 km per month for at least 6 months
• - Novice distance runners:
• • Running not more than 10km per week for the past 12 months
• • - Control group of non-athletes
• • Performing \<75min of systematic moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week and having no experience in systematic (un)structured running activities for the past 5 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Being younger than 20 years or older than 50 years at Tfamiliarization
• • Any known relevant medical history or current condition (e.g., neurological diseases, inner ear diseases) that could affect the performance of the functional tests (e.g., balance in repeated hop tests)
• • Participants that have undergone a surgery at lower limb level during the past 6 months
• • Medication or drug use (e.g., blood pressure medicines)that could affect the performance of the functional tests (e.g., balance in repeated hop tests)
• • Participants performing more than two hours per week of unilateral sports (e.g., tennis or soccer)