SECTION III - SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY / RESEARCH PAPER
Intra- and Inter-Limb Isokinetic Strength Asymmetry in Competitive Judokas: Differences in Magnitude across Competition Levels and Sex
 
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Movement and Nutrition for Health and Performance (MOVE) Research Group, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
 
 
Submission date: 2025-04-23
 
 
Final revision date: 2025-08-18
 
 
Acceptance date: 2026-03-11
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-09-04
 
 
Corresponding author
Joachim D'Hondt   

Movement and Nutrition for Health and Performance (MOVE) Research Group, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to examine differences in the magnitude of intra- and inter-limb asymmetry across different competitive levels (i.e., regional, national, and international) and between sexes in competitive judokas. The magnitude of intra-limb (i.e., hamstring/quadriceps ratio [H/Q]) and inter-limb (i.e., quadriceps/quadriceps ratio [Q/Q], hamstring/hamstring ratio [H/H], hamstring/quadriceps : hamstring/quadriceps ratio [H/Q:H/Q] and the percentage difference method [PDM] for knee extension and flexion) isokinetic strength asymmetry was assessed in 27 male and 20 female judokas, aged 18–59 years. No significant differences in the H/Q ratio for the left and the right leg as well as the PDM for knee extension and flexion, the H/H ratio, the Q/Q ratio, and the H/Q:H/Q ratio were found across competitive levels (p = 0.183–0.953). Similarly, no significant sex-based differences in asymmetry were observed (p = 0.439–0.983). Since most asymmetry indices did not significantly vary by competitive level or sex, and asymmetry magnitude values were generally relatively low, group-level asymmetry reduction may not be a general priority, though individual assessment remains important. Therefore, practitioners should assess limb asymmetry on an individual basis to determine if any corrective action is needed.
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