Introduction: Asymmetry in muscle performance and function of the lower limbs exceeding 10% represents a significant risk factor for knee joint injuries, which are among the most frequently injured joints in basketball players. To assess symmetry, isokinetic testing and sport-specific functional tests are most commonly used. Purpose: Purpose of this master's thesis was to determine the symmetry index of the lower limbs in young male and female basketball players and to assess the need for the development and implementation of preventive programs within the training process. Methods: The study included 43 male and female basketball players aged 13 to 20 years who had not been absent from the training process for more than six months due to injury. The testing protocol consisted of isokinetic testing of the concentric strength of the knee flexors and extensors at angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s, a Y balance test, and a single-leg countermovement jump (SCMJ). The isokinetic testing evaluated peak torque, work done, and average power of the flexors and extensors, as well as the ratios of these parameters between the flexors and extensors. The Y balance test measured normalized distances in specific directions and the overall result, while the SCMJ assessed jump height, maximum force/body weight ratio, average power produced, and the rate of force development. For normally distributed variables, a t-test was conducted to compare averages between genders, and for non-normally distributed variables, a non-parametric test was used to compare samples. A χ2 statistical test was performed to determine whether the proportion of subjects with an asymmetry > 10% differed by gender and, for isokinetic testing, according to angular velocity within each gender. Results: The average asymmetry index was clinically significantly elevated in 13 out of 35 measured parameters for male basketball players and in 9 parameters for female basketball players. Statistically significant differences between genders were observed only for the parameter of average power produced in the SCMJ. For the majority of parameters, the proportion of subjects with critically elevated asymmetry exceeded 20%, analyzed separately by gender. Discussion and Conclusion: Although the measured asymmetries are below the clinically significant threshold, their prevalence within the population is relatively high. Therefore, it would be necessary to introduce preventive testing among young athletes and implement preventive programs aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries.
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