Body Asymmetry and Sports Specialization: An Exploratory Anthropometric Comparison of Adolescent Canoeists and Kayakers

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The evaluation of body asymmetry between the right and left sides of the body is crucial in the context of sports because of its potential impact on performance and injury prevention. This study analyzed the anthropometric differences between the right and left sides of the body in adolescent (13.0 [2.0] years) male canoeists and kayakers from Spain. This study aimed to explore the asymmetries associated with these disciplines. Methods: Anthropometric assessments were carried out on 27 male adolescents (13 canoeists and 14 kayakers). A total of 58 anthropometric variables were assessed, including 23 pairs of bilateral variables and 12 unilateral measurements. The evaluations included basic measures, skinfolds, girths, lengths, and breadths. Relative differences between sides were calculated via the bilateral asymmetry index (%BAI). Nonparametric tests, such as the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, were applied. Results: Comparisons between body sides within the groups revealed significant asymmetries in the subscapular skinfold (p = 0.010) in canoeists and in the mid-thigh girth (p = 0.041) in kayakers. Among the groups, differences were found in the subscapular skinfold (p = 0.010) and the bicep skinfold (p = 0.038) on the right side. Conclusions: Although significant differences were found in some variables, no distinctive profile of the differences between canoeists and kayakers was established in the categories analyzed. These results suggest that, in general, body asymmetries do not significantly distinguish between these disciplines within the sample studied. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of these differences for performance and injury prevention in specific adolescent sports contexts.