Kinematic quantification of knee joint asymmetry during preparatory phase of a standing backward tucked salto

Asymmetry is considered to be a method of quantifying differences between sides, in order to characterize the functional imbalance of an individual. The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the presence of knee asymmetry during a standing backward tucked salto take of phase in order to obtain a kinematic characterization of the preparatory phase of the flight. The study was conducted on a group consisted of 16 artistic gymnasts, components of the senior and junior Romanian Olympic teams' members. The methodology consisted of the asymmetries analysis using Xsens technology. To quantify symmetry, a modified symmetry index was used. Temporal dependence symmetry index, called symmetry function (SF), was calculated for appreciation of asymmetries magnitude (percentage difference for knee flexion/extension degree values, internal/external rotation, and abduction/adduction respectively). The preliminary phase of the backward tucked salto gaining was analyzed by splitting it three phases. Using the symmetry function as a symmetry identification method offers information for the whole range of motion of the movement, brings a clearer overview on the functional imbalance. The possibility of simultaneous representation on the three knee asymmetries planes during a standing backward tucked salto preparatory phase, of the asymmetry dominance and its orientation, form/ represent the main finding of this research.