Lower Limb Force and Power Production and Its Relation to Body Composition in 14-to 15-Year-Old Kosovan Adolescents

Abstract

Adiposity-related joint loading and unequal force distribution during jumping tasks place additional stress on soft tissue structures of the non-dominant leg, which may reduce performance and is likely to increase injury risk and the development of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases. Movement-related dysfunctions of children and adolescents are of particular interest because they represent modifiable risk factors that can be targeted by intervention programs, which may decrease degenerative changes later in life. Therefore, this study aims to determine the influence of body weight and obesity on force and power production as well as the prevalence of limb asymmetry in adolescents. A cross-sectional study including 354 adolescents (195 boys: 14.6 ± 0.4 years; 159 girls: 14.5 ± 0.4 years) was performed. Anthropometric parameters and countermovement jump (force and power parameters) were assessed using a dual force plate. Countermovement jump and 20-m sprint performances were significantly influenced by BMI categories (p < 0.001), with obese subjects performing worse than their normal weight colleagues do. Although peak fore and peak power were significantly higher, especially in obese adolescents (p < 0.001), relative to body weight peak power was worse in overweight and obese adolescents (p < 0.001). The proportion of adolescents with limb asymmetry (from power production values) was markedly higher in obese children when compared to other BMI categories. The present study revealed differences in force and power production and inter-limb symmetry measurements related to BMI categories. Therefore, with consideration of anthropometric characteristics, the assessment of ground reaction forces might provide an accurate approach for the assessment, screening and monitoring motor performance as well as bilateral differences in children and adolescents.