inter-limb asymmetry in y balance and single leg hop as a predictor of sports injuries in volleyball players

Background: sports injuries, particularly those affecting the lower extremities, are prevalent in volleyball. neuromuscular asymmetry in the lower limbs may play a significant role in predicting injury risk. this study investigates the impact of limb asymmetry as a predictor of sports injuries in volleyball players.objectives: the primary objective of this study was to examine the role of lower limb neuromuscular asymmetry as a predictor of injury risk in volleyball players. additionally, the study aimed to assess the impact of limb asymmetry in functional tests, including the single-leg hop, 90-degree direction change, and dynamic y-balance tests.methods: this prospective cohort study began in june 2024 and will continue for nine months in kermanshah. a sample of 101 male and female volleyball players was purposefully selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. lower limb symmetry indices were assessed using functional tests (single-leg hop, 90-degree direction change, dynamic y-balance) before the study. injury registration and follow-up were conducted for nine months. data were analyzed using spss version 27, employing independent t-tests to compare injured and non-injured groups and univariate logistic regression to explore the relationship between predictive variables and sports injuries.results: logistic regression analysis identified limb asymmetry in the single-leg hop for distance and y-dynamic balance (anterior position) tests as significant predictors of sports injuries. the models explained 2.5% to 9.1% of injury variance for the single-leg hop and 1.4% to 7.4% for the y-dynamic balance test, both of which were statistically significant (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively). each 1% increase in limb asymmetry in the y-dynamic balance (anterior position) test and each centimeter of limb difference in the single-leg hop for distance test increased the risk of injury by 18%.conclusions: limb asymmetry, as measured by the single-leg hop for distance and y-dynamic balance (anterior position) tests, significantly predicts sports injuries in volleyball players. even small increases in asymmetry raise the risk of injury by 18%. these findings emphasize the importance of incorporating these functional tests into injury risk assessments and prioritizing the reduction of asymmetries in injury prevention programs.