Does maturation relate to lower limb asymmetry in adolescent distance runners?

Maturation has been reported as a predictor of injury in physically active adolescents. Asymmetry is commonly associated with pathology and has been reported in adolescent runners. Uninjured adolescent distance runners were stratified by maturity and side-to-side limb symmetry was measured during self-selected running speed. Post-pubertal runners demonstrated greater asymmetry in knee position and reduced asymmetry in ankle position in the coronal plane as compared to pre- and pubertal runners. Further study is needed to understand the effects of maturation on running symmetry.