Inter-limb asymmetry across multiple soccer tasks varies with 
maturity status in young players: a cross-sectional study

Hamza Marzouki; Bilel Cherni; Alâa Edine Sassi; Anissa Bouassida; Ezdine Bouhlel; Yung-Sheng Chen; Karim Chamari

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.154159

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

Inter-limb asymmetry across multiple soccer tasks varies with maturity status in young players: a cross-sectional study

Hamza Marzouki

^{1, 2}

,

Bilel Cherni

^{1, 2}

,

Alâa Edine Sassi

^{1, 2}

,

Anissa Bouassida

^{1, 2}

,

Ezdine Bouhlel

³

,

Yung-Sheng Chen

^{4, 5, 6}

,

Karim Chamari

^{7, 8}

Research Unit: Sport sciences, Health and Movement, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia
High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Tunisia
Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: from Integrated to Molecular “Biology, Medicine and Health” (LR19ES09), Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taiwan
Tanyu Research Laboratory, Taipei, Taiwan
Exercise and Health Promotion Association, New Taipei City, Taiwan
High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Naufar, Wellness and Recovery Center, Doha, Qatar

Biol Sport. 2026;43:369–378

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154159

Online publish date: 2025/09/16

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Biological maturation is one of the determinants influencing physical performance, yet its impact on asymmetry in soccer-specific tasks remains poorly understood. This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of biological maturation on inter-limb asymmetry in lower limb muscle volume (LLMV), linear and changeof-direction (COD) sprints (with and without the ball), jump performance, and dynamic balance. The agreement between asymmetry indices in dribbling tasks was assessed using Kappa coefficients to determine the consistency of asymmetry direction across tasks. Eighty-three young male soccer players (Pre-PHV: n = 42, Circa-PHV: n = 30, Post-PHV: n = 11) performed (1) 10-m sprint and 90° COD tests with- (S10_drib and COD_drib, respectively) and without the ball (S10_run and COD_run, respectively), (2) bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps, and (3) the Y-balance test. Asymmetry indices were calculated for all performance measures. The Pre-PHV players showed greater asymmetry in S10_drib, COD_drib, and COD_drib-Deficit than Circa- and Post PHV (p < 0.05). The S10_drib-Deficit asymmetry was higher in Pre-PHV players than that of Circa-PHV players (p = 0.038), while Post-PHV players had lower COD_drib asymmetry than Circa-PHV players (p = 0.016). Balance asymmetry was greater in Post-PHV players than their counterparts (p < 0.05). Kappa coefficients showed fair to moderate agreement between asymmetry directions in S10_drib and COD_drib, and between their respective deficits, indicating task-specific asymmetry consistency. These findings underscore the need for maturation-specific training strategies, with early-maturing players benefiting from targeted neuromuscular training, while older players should focus on balance and sport-specific drills to manage asymmetry and injury prevention.

keywords:

Inter-limb asymmetry across multiple soccer tasks varies with maturity status in young players: a cross-sectional study

Hamza Marzouki 1, 2 , Bilel Cherni 1, 2 , Alâa Edine Sassi 1, 2 , Anissa Bouassida 1, 2 , Ezdine Bouhlel 3 , Yung-Sheng Chen 4, 5, 6 , Karim Chamari 7, 8

Growth, Motor asymmetry, Change of direction, Balance, Dribbling deficit, Youth athletes

Hamza Marzouki

^{1, 2}

,

Bilel Cherni

^{1, 2}

,

Alâa Edine Sassi

^{1, 2}

,

Anissa Bouassida

^{1, 2}

,

Ezdine Bouhlel

³

,

Yung-Sheng Chen

^{4, 5, 6}

,

Karim Chamari

^{7, 8}