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The Degree, Development and Interrelationship of Structural and Functional Asymmetry in (Pre)Adolescent Elite Tennis Players

NCT03128814 · Status: UNKNOWN · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 240

Last updated 2017-04-25

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Humans generally develop a preferred upper and lower extremity. Due to repetitive uneven loading, this gradually results in structural (e.g. increased bone and muscle mass) and functional (e.g. increased strength) adaptations to the dominant side of the body. The corresponding structural and functional asymmetry can be further accentuated by (intensively) practicing a unilateral sport such as tennis, which is very popular. Yet, research on this particular topic is scarce, especially in (pre)adolescent players. Existing studies, which often face methodological shortcomings (e.g. crosssectional designs, small sample sizes, no link to field methods), mainly focus on adults and structural asymmetry of the upper extremity itself, with very little or no attention to whole body structural as well as functional asymmetry. Moreover, the link of both forms of asymmetry with growth and maturation, everyday locomotion, technical skill performance and whole body injury is currently not (fully) understood. Therefore, the main purpose of this research project is to gain comprehensive knowledge on the degree, development and implications of both structural and functional asymmetry during a critical period in life using a longitudinal approach. As such, this project among youth elite tennis players will provide insights on the extent to which structural and/or functional asymmetry is acceptable for being most successful but remaining injury free.

Conditions

  • Development; Unilateral

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Laurent Chapelle

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Peter Clarys, PhD · Vrije Universiteit Brussel

  • Eva D'Hondt, PhD · Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Eligibility

Min Age
8 Years
Max Age
16 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-09-01
Primary Completion
2020-12-15
Completion
2022-01-31

Countries

  • Belgium

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03128814 on ClinicalTrials.gov