Morphological and functional asymmetry in (pre)adolescent elite tennis players:
a prospective cohort study on their interrelationship and association with growth, maturation, skill performance and injury
Humans generally use a preferred upper and lower extremity during daily activities. Due to repetitive uneven loading, this gradually results in morphological (e.g. increased bone and muscle mass) as well as functional (e.g. increased muscle strength) adaptations to the dominant side of the body. The corresponding morphological and functional asymmetry can be further accentuated by (intensively) practicing a unilateral sport, such as tennis. Yet, research on this topic is scarce. The main purpose of this research project is to gain comprehensive knowledge on the degree, development and implications of both morphological and functional asymmetry. As such, this research project among youth elite tennis players will provide insights to which extent morphological and/or functional asymmetry is acceptable for being most successful but remaining injury free.
Project related publications
Chapelle L., Rommers N., Clarys P., D’Hondt E. & Taeymans J. (2019). Upper extremity bone mineral content asymmetries in tennis players: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(9): 988-997. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1537173
Chapelle L., Rommers N., Clarys P. & D’Hondt E. (2021). Whole-body morphological asymmetries in high-level female tennis Players: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(7): 777-782. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1845452
Chapelle L., Bishop C., Clarys P. & D’Hondt E. (2021). No relationship between lean mass and functional asymmetry in high-level female tennis players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22): 11928. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211928
Chapelle L., Bishop C., Clarys P. & D’Hondt E. (2022). International vs. national female tennis players: A comparison of upper and lower extremity functional asymmetries. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 62(7): 944-952. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12482-X
D’Hondt J., Chapelle L., Van Droogenbroeck L., Aerenhouts D., Clarys P. & D’Hondt E. (2022). Bioelectrical impedance analysis as a means of quantifying upper and lower limb asymmetry in youth elite tennis players: an explorative study. European Journal of Sport Science, 22(9): 1343-1354. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1960624
Chapelle L., Bishop C., D’Hondt J., D’Hondt E. & Clarys P. (2022). Morphological and functional asymmetry in elite youth tennis players compared to sex- and age-matched controls. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(14): 1618-1628. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2096769
Chapelle L., Pion J., Clarys P., Rommers N. & D’Hondt E. (2023). Anthropometric and performance determinants of youth tennis players progressing through a talent identification and development programme. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(5): 1469-1477. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221115855
Chapelle L., D’Hondt E., Rommers N. & Clarys P. (2023). Development of Upper Extremity Morphological Asymmetries in Male and Female Elite Youth Tennis Players: A Longitudinal Study. Pediatric Exercise Science, 36(2): 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2023-0003
Chapelle L., Bishop C., D’Hondt J., Rommers N., D’Hondt E. & Clarys P. (2023). Development of upper and lower extremity functional asymmetries in male and female elite youth tennis players: A longitudinal study. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 63(12): 1269-1284. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.23.15043-2