Unilateral Training in Physical Conditioning. Neuromuscular, Biomechanical and Functional Implications

Abstract

Strength training has evolved substantially over recent decades, incorporating strategies based on functional specificity and athletic performance. In this context, unilateral training has emerged as a prominent approach due to its greater neuromuscular, proprioceptive, and biomechanical demands compared with traditional bilateral training. Performing exercises with single-leg support increases the requirements for lumbopelvic stabilization, intermuscular control, and neural coordination, while facilitating the identification and correction of inter-limb asymmetries. Recent evidence suggests that inter-limb asymmetries may impair physical performance and, in certain sports, be associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries, although this relationship remains inconsistent across the current literature. The phenomenon of the bilateral deficit further highlights the importance of the neural adaptations elicited by unilateral exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the main neuromuscular, biomechanical, and functional implications of unilateral training for physical conditioning, emphasizing its effects on athletic performance, injury prevention, and inter-limb strength balance. Contemporary evidence indicates that, when integrated into periodized training programs that also include bilateral exercises, unilateral training enhances gains in functional strength, power, and dynamic stability.