Distance running is one of the most popular and most accessible ways to engage in physical activity. Although distance running offers numerous health-related benefits and protects against noncommunicable diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetic, obesity, hypertension), research has indicated a high prevalence of running-related injuries with a more pronounced incidence among novice runners (i.e., 17.8 injuries per 1000h) compared to their highly trained peers (i.e., 7.2 injuries per 1000h). Interlimb asymmetry has previously been related to higher injury risk as well as to impaired sports performances. Nevertheless, to date, research on the degree and evolution of functional asymmetry (e.g., unequal strength between limbs) in distance runners is scarce and the role of functional asymmetries in running performance and running-related injuries remains unclear. Moreover, and despite the great number of unilateral tests available in the literature, there currently exists no reliable and run-specific field-based test battery to examine the degree of lower limb asymmetry in distance runners. Therefore, this study aims to assess the test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability of a newly created running-specific field-based test battery to assess the presence and degree of functional lower limb asymmetry among novice, moderatly and highly trained distance runners as well as a control group of non-athletes. The second objective is to assess the association between inter-limb asymmetry and running performance.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Lean mass
Timeframe: Baseline
Fat mass
Timeframe: Baseline
Bone mineral density
Timeframe: Baseline
Phase angle
Timeframe: Baseline
Lean mass
Timeframe: Baseline
Fat mass
Timeframe: Baseline
Total segmental water
Timeframe: Baseline
Extracellular water
Timeframe: Baseline
5 repeated vertical hop test.
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
5 repeated horizontal hop test
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Side bridge endurance test
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Hip adduction strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Hip abduction strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Knee extension strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Knee flexion strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Ankle dorsiflexion strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Ankle plantar flexion strength
Timeframe: 3 test occasions: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline and 4 weeks after baseline.
Cooper test
Timeframe: This test will be carried out on the second test occasion (two weeks after baseline).
Training volume
Timeframe: Baseline
Contact time while running
Timeframe: This test will be carried out on the third test occasion (four weeks after baseline).
Flight time while running
Timeframe: This test will be carried out on the third test occasion (four weeks after baseline).
Stride length
Timeframe: This test will be carried out on the third test occasion (four weeks after baseline).