Impact of inter-limb anthropometric asymmetries on physical performance in international footballers with spastic hemiplegia

• Juan Francisco Maggiolo ^[2] ; Matías Henríquez ^[1] ; Manuel Moya-Ramón ^[2] ; Iván Peña-González ^[2]
  1. [1] Universidad Santo Tomás

     Universidad Santo Tomás

     Santiago, Chile

     
  2. [2] Miguel Hernández University of Elche
• Localización: Apunts: Medicina de l'esport, ISSN 0213-3717, ISSN-e 1886-6581, Vol. 60, Nº 228, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the association between the inter-limb anthropometric differences in ten international cerebral palsy football players with spastic hemiplegia and their physical performance.

    Materials and methods: Anthropometric assessment included measurements for both limbs following ISAK pro- tocols. Physical performance tests included 1RM strength, CMJ, 5-m and 30-m sprints, an agility test, a dribbling test, and the 505 change of direction test.

    Results: No significant correlations were observed between anthropometric asymmetries and physical perfor- mance. Conversely, significant correlations were found between the girths of the unaffected limbs and 1RM (r= 0.73–0.77), CMJ (r= 0.69), and 5-m sprint (r= 0.64–0.67). Regression analysis identified the girth of the un- affected thigh and calf as predictors for 1RM (R²= 55%) and CMJ (R²= 48%), respectively.

    Conclusion: Although inter-limb asymmetries did not correlate with reduced performance, players relied on unaffected limbs, highlighting the role of compensatory strategies and targeted training in optimizing perfor- mance for CP football players.