Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology and Health Science

Committee Chair(s)

Dale Wagner

Committee

Dale Wagner

Committee

Brennan Thompson

Committee

Brian Larsen

Abstract

Limb asymmetries are an expected adaptation to years of training for athletes participating in dominant-sided sports. Previous research on this topic lacks an athletic control group. PURPOSE: To determine the magnitude of upper limb asymmetries in dominant-sided athletes (tennis players) compared to nondominant-sided athletes (cross-country runners). METHODS: Male and female NCAA Division I athletes (10 tennis, 11 cross-country) participated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass (LM) of the whole body, upper extremities, and forearms. Circumference measurements were taken at mid-biceps and the widest part of the forearms. The bony breadth of the elbow was measured with sliding calipers placed at the medial and lateral epicondyles. Grip strength was assessed with a dynamometer. Mixed-model ANOVA was used to analyze data between dominant/nondominant sides and between sports. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age (p = .150), height (p =.783) or body mass (p = .066) between teams. No differences were shown between sports for total body BMC (p = .544), total body BMD (p = .535), or total body LM (p = .843). Sport × side interaction was significant (p < .05) for lower arm circumference, elbow bony breadths, total upper extremity LM, total upper extremity BMC, total upper extremity BMD, forearm BMC, ultra-distal forearm BMC, mid-distal forearm BMC, one-third forearm BMC, and ultra-distal forearm BMD. CONCLUSION: Morphological differences between sports were localized to the arm. Sport specificity influences mass and volume (circumference, LM, BMC) of the limb, with BMD particularly enhanced in ultra-distal forearm.

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