Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase

Purpose. This study explores lower limb joint displacement differences during the stance phase and to examine the effects of limb dominance on asymmetry. A total of 32 healthy male amateur marathon runners were recruited (age: 35.33 ± 6.90 years, height: 174.17 ± 3.34 cm, weight: 63.92 ± 4.53 kg). T...

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Main Authors: Xinci You, Yang Song, Zhuqing Mao, Julien S. Baker, Yaodong Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/3162919
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author Xinci You
Yang Song
Zhuqing Mao
Julien S. Baker
Yaodong Gu
author_facet Xinci You
Yang Song
Zhuqing Mao
Julien S. Baker
Yaodong Gu
author_sort Xinci You
collection DOAJ
description Purpose. This study explores lower limb joint displacement differences during the stance phase and to examine the effects of limb dominance on asymmetry. A total of 32 healthy male amateur marathon runners were recruited (age: 35.33 ± 6.90 years, height: 174.17 ± 3.34 cm, weight: 63.92 ± 4.53 kg). The experiment employed a Vicon eight-camera motion capture system synchronized with an AMTI force plate to record the phase from heel strike to toe-off. The continuous relative phase (CRP) between the dominant and nondominant limbs was assessed using of independent t-test of SPM1d. Results. The hip–knee joint of the dominant limb had a larger maximum CRP (t = 1.104, p >0.05, effect size = 0.270), smaller minimum CRP (t = −2.672, p <0.05, effect size = 0.653), larger values of mean absolute relative phase (MARF) (t = 3.275, p <0.05, effect size = 0.122), and deviation phase (DP) (t = 7.582, p <0.001, effect size = 0.717) than that of the nondominant limb. Comparing the dominant limb of the knee–ankle joints with the nondominant, there are smaller maximum CRP (t = −0.422, p >0.05, effect size = 0.144), smaller DP (t = −7.237, p <0.001, effect size = 0.754), a larger minimum CRP (t = 7.909, p <0.001, effect size = 2.704), and larger MARF (t = 0.355, p >0.05, effect size = 0.801). Furthermore, during the stance phases, there are significant differences in coordination modes between the dominant limb and nondominant limb of intersegmental joints (p <0.05). Conclusion. Throughout different phases of the stance phase, asymmetry in the sagittal plane of lower limb joint displacement is evident. The dominant limb undergoes significant changes in joint leading phase coordination modes, with notably less in-phase coordination compared to the nondominant limb. This predisposes muscles to overstretching, thereby increasing the risk of muscle strains, while the nondominant limb compensates for lower muscle strength. Recognizing and addressing such asymmetries is key to optimizing nondominant limb strength and minimizing muscle overstretching in the dominant limb, leading to improved stability and movement efficiency during marathon running. Consequently, when designing exercise programs or physical therapy, it is crucial to consider limb dominance-related symmetry differences to mitigate the risk of injury resulting from interlimb disparities in motion.
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spelling doaj-art-6b09f3b9971744a6a8dfc2e62d8490ea2025-08-20T02:23:57ZengWileyApplied Bionics and Biomechanics1754-21032024-01-01202410.1155/2024/3162919Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance PhaseXinci You0Yang Song1Zhuqing Mao2Julien S. Baker3Yaodong Gu4Faculty of Sport ScienceDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringFaculty of Sport ScienceFaculty of Sport ScienceFaculty of Sport SciencePurpose. This study explores lower limb joint displacement differences during the stance phase and to examine the effects of limb dominance on asymmetry. A total of 32 healthy male amateur marathon runners were recruited (age: 35.33 ± 6.90 years, height: 174.17 ± 3.34 cm, weight: 63.92 ± 4.53 kg). The experiment employed a Vicon eight-camera motion capture system synchronized with an AMTI force plate to record the phase from heel strike to toe-off. The continuous relative phase (CRP) between the dominant and nondominant limbs was assessed using of independent t-test of SPM1d. Results. The hip–knee joint of the dominant limb had a larger maximum CRP (t = 1.104, p >0.05, effect size = 0.270), smaller minimum CRP (t = −2.672, p <0.05, effect size = 0.653), larger values of mean absolute relative phase (MARF) (t = 3.275, p <0.05, effect size = 0.122), and deviation phase (DP) (t = 7.582, p <0.001, effect size = 0.717) than that of the nondominant limb. Comparing the dominant limb of the knee–ankle joints with the nondominant, there are smaller maximum CRP (t = −0.422, p >0.05, effect size = 0.144), smaller DP (t = −7.237, p <0.001, effect size = 0.754), a larger minimum CRP (t = 7.909, p <0.001, effect size = 2.704), and larger MARF (t = 0.355, p >0.05, effect size = 0.801). Furthermore, during the stance phases, there are significant differences in coordination modes between the dominant limb and nondominant limb of intersegmental joints (p <0.05). Conclusion. Throughout different phases of the stance phase, asymmetry in the sagittal plane of lower limb joint displacement is evident. The dominant limb undergoes significant changes in joint leading phase coordination modes, with notably less in-phase coordination compared to the nondominant limb. This predisposes muscles to overstretching, thereby increasing the risk of muscle strains, while the nondominant limb compensates for lower muscle strength. Recognizing and addressing such asymmetries is key to optimizing nondominant limb strength and minimizing muscle overstretching in the dominant limb, leading to improved stability and movement efficiency during marathon running. Consequently, when designing exercise programs or physical therapy, it is crucial to consider limb dominance-related symmetry differences to mitigate the risk of injury resulting from interlimb disparities in motion.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/3162919
spellingShingle Xinci You
Yang Song
Zhuqing Mao
Julien S. Baker
Yaodong Gu
Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
title Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
title_full Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
title_fullStr Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
title_full_unstemmed Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
title_short Biomechanical Effects of Dominant or Nondominant Limb on Asymmetry during Running Stance Phase
title_sort biomechanical effects of dominant or nondominant limb on asymmetry during running stance phase
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/3162919
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AT juliensbaker biomechanicaleffectsofdominantornondominantlimbonasymmetryduringrunningstancephase
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