The aim of this study was to use two asymmetry indexes from a kinematical point of view in professional cyclists during an incremental test to exhaustion. Twelve professional cyclists were evaluated during the French Cycling Federation`s protocol. Based on motion capture, asymmetry analysis was addressed by means of cross-correlation technique and a normalized symmetry index (NSI). Results pointed out that NSI could vary up to 18% throughout the pedaling cycle, with different behavior between upward and downward pedaling phases. Both methods exhibited low values of asymmetry especially for flexion/extension, but higher asymmetry values for other DOF. This study shows the complementarity of both NSI and cross-correlation methods. It enables to continuously evaluate changes during the crank cycle associated to skeletal movement.
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