Leg and vertical stiffness (a)symmetry between dominant and non-dominant legs in young male runners

Biomechanical findings show that running is asymmetric in many kinetic properties. Running stiffness is a vital kinetic property of yet unknown pattern of lateralization. The aim of this study was to examine the degree and variability of lower limb dominance specific asymmetry of running in terms of leg stiffness, vertical stiffness, contact time, flight time, maximal ground reaction force during contact, vertical displacement of the center of mass, and change in leg length. Leg and vertical stiffness was estimated by the sine-wave method in 22 young males during treadmill running at 4.44 m/s. Lower limb dominance was determined by the triple-jump test. Asymmetry was expressed as dominant - non-dominant, and indexed by the absolute asymmetry index. Significant asymmetry was found only in flight time (3.98%) and in maximal ground reaction force (1.75%). The absolute asymmetry index ranged from 1.8% to 6.4%, showed high variation between subjects (0-31.6%), and differentiated among the 7 analyzed variables. Leg and vertical stiffness in treadmill running of moderate pace (4.44 m/s) should be considered symmetric.