Do Outcome or Movement Strategy Variables Provide Better Insights into Asymmetries During Multiple-Hops?

Multiple hops performed horizontally in series effectively assess return-to-play readiness, as they mimic the propulsive and decelerative demands of sports. Movement strategy variables offer more insight into injury recovery than outcome-based measures like hop distance alone. This study focused on kinematic and kinetic variables to assess asym-metries during triple-hop (3-Hop) and quintuple-hop (5-Hop) tests with 44 male athletes. The aim was to determine the magnitude and direction of asymmetry and compare the sensitivity of kinematic and kinetic variables. Results showed average kinematic asymmetries below 7.1%, while average kinetic asymmetries were as high as 38.8%, with some variables, especially vertical braking impulses significantly higher (up to 95.4%). These findings suggest that kinetic variables are more sensitive in assessing movement quality, providing better insights for rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both outcome and movement strategy variables in injury recovery. These results have practical applications for clinicians and coaches, offering valuable information to refine exercise prescriptions and improve athlete performance.