Pia Lucija Rotar1, Ziga Kozinc1, Borko Katanic2
1University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
2Montenegrin Sports Academy, Podgorica, Montenegro
Investigation of Dynamic Balance, Limb Asymmetry and Flexibility in Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: A Preliminary Exploratory Study
Sport Mont 2024, 22(3), 17-24 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.241003
Abstract
This preliminary exploratory study is the first to thoroughly examine dynamic balance, inter-limb asymmetry, and flexibility in jiu-jitsu athletes, focusing on differences by fighting style, competition level, gender, and limb dominance. A total of 25 jiu-jitsu fighters participated in this cross-sectional study, which used repeated measures to ensure the reliability of the findings. Participants underwent measurements for limb lengths and were assessed for dynamic balance using the Lower and Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (LQYBT and UQYBT) and for flexibility with the Sit and Reach Test (SR). The analysis included evaluating the reliability of these tests, as well as comparing outcomes based on gender, fighting styles, competition levels, and limb dominance. The results showed that the LQYBT and UQYBT tests were reliable (ICC=0.74–0.93). There were no significant differences in dynamic balance and flexibility between different fighting styles. No significant differences were found in balance tests between the dominant and non-dominant limbs, but there were notable inter-limb asymmetries in certain measures. This study provides preliminary insights for coaches and researchers by offering reference values for balance, flexibility, and inter-limb asymmetry in jiu-jitsu athletes. However, future research with larger sample sizes is needed to better understand the differences among subgroups in this sport.
Keywords
athletic training, Y-balance test, physical performance, martial arts, asymmetry
View full article
(PDF – 172KB)
References
Akoglu, H. (2018). User's guide to correlation coefficients. Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18(3), 91-93.
Aldhabi, R., Albadi, M., Alnajjar, M., Fasihudden, A., & Vincent, H. K. (2024). Balance and single-leg functional performance in taekwondo athletes. JOSPT Open, (0), 1-28.
Andreato, L. V., de Moraes, S. F., de Moraes Gomes, T. L., Esteves, J. D. C., Andreato, T. V., & Franchini, E. (2011). Estimated aerobic power, muscular strength and flexibility in elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Science & Sports, 26(6), 329-337.
Andreato, L. V., Lara, F. J. D., Andrade, A., & Branco, B. H. M. (2017). Physical and physiological profiles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes: a systematic review. Sports Medicine-Open, 3, 1-17.
Andreato, L. V., Santos, J. F., Esteves, J. V., Panissa, V. L., Julio, U. F., & Franchini, E. (2016). Physiological, nutritional and performance profiles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 53, 261.
Angyan, L., Teczely, T., & Angyan, Z. (2007). Factors affecting postural stability of healthy young adults. Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 94(4), 289-299.
Ayala, F., de Baranda, P. S., Croix, M. D. S., & Santonja, F. (2012). Absolute reliability of five clinical tests for assessing hamstring flexibility in professional futsal players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(2), 142-147.
Báez, E., Franchini, E., Ramírez-Campillo, R., Cañas-Jamett, R., Herrera, T., Burgos-Jara, C., & Henríquez-Olguín, C. (2014). Anthropometric characteristics of top-class Brazilian Jiu-jitsu athletes: Role of fighting style. International Journal of Morphology, 32(3), 1043-1050.
Bell, D. R., Sanfilippo, J. L., Binkley, N., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2014). Lean mass asymmetry influences force and power asymmetry during jumping in collegiate athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(4), 884.
Bennett, H., Chalmers, S., Milanese, S., & Fuller, J. (2022). The association between Y-balance test scores, injury, and physical performance in elite adolescent Australian footballers. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25(4), 306–311.
Bishop, C., Turner, A., & Read, P. (2018). Effects of inter-limb asymmetries on physical and sports performance: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(10), 1135-1144.
Borms, D., Maenhout, A., & Cools, A. M. (2016). Upper quadrant field tests and isokinetic upper limb strength in overhead athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 51(10), 789–796.
Bressel, E., Yonker, J. C., Kras, J., & Heath, E. M. (2007). Comparison of static and dynamic balance in female collegiate soccer, basketball, and gymnastics athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 42(1), 42.
Bubić, A., & Kozinc, Ž. (2023). Lower and upper quarter y-balance test in recreationally active healthy adults: test-retest reliability, gender differences and inter-limb asymmetries. Exercise and Quality of Life Journal, 15(2), 5-12.
Bullock, G. S., Schmitt, A. C., Chasse, P. M., Little, B. A., Diehl, L. H., & Butler, R. J. (2018). The relationship between trunk rotation, upper quarter dynamic stability, and pitch velocity. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(1), 261–266.
Cuberek, R., Machová, I., & Lipenská, M. (2013). Reliability of V sit-and-reach test used for flexibility self-assessment in females. Acta Gymnica, 43(1), 35-39.
Cuthbert, M., Comfort, P., Ripley, N., McMahon, J. J., Evans, M., & Bishop, C. (2021). Unilateral vs. bilateral hamstring strength assessments: Comparing reliability and inter-limb asymmetries in female soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(13), 1481-1488.
das Graças, D., Nakamura, L., Barbosa, F. S. S., Martinez, P. F., Reis, F. A., & Oliveira-Junior, S. A. D. (2017). Could current factors be associated with retrospective sports injuries in Brazilian jiu-jitsu? A cross-sectional study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 9(1), 1-10.
de Paula Lima, P. O., Lima, A. A., Coelho, A. C. S., Lima, Y. L., Almeida, G. P. L., Bezerra, M. A., & de Oliveira, R. R. (2017). Biomechanical differences in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes: the role of combat style. International Jurnal of Sports Physical Therapy, 12(1), 67.
Del Vecchio, F. B., Bianchi, S., Hirata, S. M., & Chacon-Mikahili, M. P. T. (2007). Análise morfo-funcional de praticantes de brazilian jiu-jitsu e estudo da temporalidade e da quantificação das ações motoras na modalidade [Morpho-functional analysis of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners and study of the temporality and quantification of motor actions in the modality]. Movimento e Percepção, 7(10), 263-281.
Del Vecchio, F. B., Gondim, D. F., & Arruda, A. C. P. (2016). Functional movement screening performance of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes from Brazil: differences considering practice time and combat style. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 30(8), 2341-2347.
Fatih, E. R. İ. Ş., Çakir, E., Çavusoglu, İ., Akyurek, N., & Haykir, F. (2022). Comparıson Of Lower And Upper Extremıty Y Balance Test Scores Of Some Team And Indıvıdual Adolescent Athletes. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 3066-3072.
Fusco, A., Giancotti, G. F., Fuchs, P. X., Wagner, H., da Silva, R. A., & Cortis, C. (2020). Y balance test: Are we doing it right?. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(2), 194-199.
Gorman, P. P., Butler, R. J., Plisky, P. J., & Kiesel, K. B. (2012). Upper quarter y balance test: Reliability and performance comparison between genders in active adults. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(11), 3043–3048.
Gribble, P. A., & Hertel, J. (2003). Considerations for normalizing measures of the Star Excursion Balance Test. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 7(2), 89-100.
Gribble, P. A., Hertel, J., & Plisky, P. (2012). Using the Star Excursion Balance Test to assess dynamic postural-control deficits and outcomes in lower extremity injury: a literature and systematic review. Journal of Athletic Training, 47(3), 339-357.
Hoffman, J. R., Ratamess, N. A., Klatt, M., Faigenbaum, A. D., & Kang, J. (2007). Do bilateral power deficits influence direction-specific movement patterns? Research in Sports Medicine, 15, 125–132.
Hopkins, W. G. (2000). Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Medicine, 30, 1-15.
Impellizzeri, F. M., Rampinini, E., Maffiuletti, N., & Marcora, S. M. (2007). A vertical jump force test for assessing bilateral strength asymmetry in athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39, 2044–2050.
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), (2016). Rules book. Retrived from: https://ibjjf.com/books-videos Accessed on 15 December 2023.
James, L. P. (2014). An evidenced-based training plan for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 36(4), 14-22.
Kano, J. (1994). Kodokan Judo. New York, NY: Kodansha International.
Kilic, F., Karakoç, Ö., & Karakoç, B. (2022). The Effects Judo Trainings On Static and Dynamic Balance Test and Physical Parameters of The Adolesence Children. Asian Exercise and Sport Science Journal, 6(1), 47-57.
Kocahan, T., Guraslan, H., Kabak, B., Hasanoglu, A., & Akinoglu, B. (2022). Examining the Relationship Between Dynamic Balance Skill and Reactive Agility Performance in Karate Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 24(2), 187-192.
Koo, T. K., & Li, M. Y. (2016). A guideline of selecting and reporting intraclass correlation coefficients for reliability research. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15(2), 155-163.
Kreiswirth, E. M., Myer, G. D., & Rauh, M. J. (2014). Incidence of injury among male Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters at the World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2009. Journal of Athletic Training, 49(1), 89-94.
Krištofič, J., Malý, T., & Zahálka, F. (2018). The effect of intervention balance program on postural stability. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 10(1), 17-27.
Leszczak, J., Czenczek-Lewandowska, E., Wyszyńska, J., Podgórska-Bednarz, J., Weres, A., Baran, R., ... & Baran, J. (2022). Differences in body balance according to body mass classification among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 16116.
Lockie, R. G., Callaghan, S. J., Berry, S. P., Cooke, E. R. A., Jordan, C. A., Luczo, T. M., & Jeffriess, M. D. (2014). Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28, 3557–3566.
Mier, C. M. (2011). Accuracy and feasibility of video analysis for assessing hamstring flexibility and validity of the sit-and-reach test. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 82(4), 617-623.
Pérez-Castilla, A., García-Ramos, A., Janicijevic, D., Miras-Moreno, S., De la Cruz, J. C., Rojas, F. J., & Cepero, M. (2021). Unilateral or Bilateral Standing Broad Jumps: Which Jump Type Provides Inter-Limb Asymmetries with a Higher Reliability?. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 20(2), 317.
Plisky, P. J., Gorman, P. P., Butler, R. J., Kiesel, K. B., Underwood, F. B., & Elkins, B. (2009). The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy: NAJSPT, 4(2), 92.
Ribnikar, T., Maguša, A., & Kozinc, Z. (2024). The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test: A Scoping Review of Reference Values, Reliability, Determinants, and Practical Application. Sport Mont, 22(1), 137-146.
Ruffe, N. J., Sorce, S. R., Rosenthal, M. D., & Rauh, M. J. (2019). Lower quarter-and upper quarter Y balance tests as predictors of running-related injuries in high school cross-country runners. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 14(5), 695.
Sarro, K. J., Lara, J. P. R., Martins, L., Silva, A., Souza, S., Momesso, I., & Miana, A. (2022). Seasonal variation of strength and power magnitude and asymmetry, and injury profile of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(6), 1346-1355.
Shaffer, S. W., Teyhen, D. S., Lorenson, C. L., Warren, R. L., Koreerat, C. M., Straseske, C. A., & Childs, J. D. (2013). Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters. Military Medicine, 178(11), 1264-1270.
Spencer, D. C. (2016). From many masters to many students: YouTube, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and communities of practice. Jomec Journal, 5, 1-13.
Sterkowicz, S., Lech, G., Jaworski, J., & Ambrozy, T. (2012). Coordination motor abilities of judo contestants at different age. Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts, 1(2), 5-10.
Stock, M. S., Mota, J. A., Hernandez, J. M., & Thompson, B. J. (2017). Echo intensity and muscle thickness as predictors of athleticism and isometric strength in middle‐school boys. Muscle & Nerve, 55(5), 685-692.
Taylor, J. B., Wright, A. A., Smoliga, J. M., DePew, J. T., & Hegedus, E. J. (2016). Upper-extremity physical-performance tests in college athletes. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 25(2), 146–154.
Tayshete, I., Akre, M., Ladgaonkar, S., & Kumar, A. (2020). Comparison of effect of proprioceptive training and core muscle strengthening on the balance ability of adolescent taekwondo athletes. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 10(6), 268-79.
Westrick, R. B., Miller, J. M., Carow, S. D., & Gerber, J. P. (2012). Exploration of the y-balance test for assessment of upper quarter closed kinetic chain performance. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 7(2), 139–147.