This study aims to (1) assess the inter-limb asymmetry in hip, knee, and ankle strength and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance among adolescent basketball players and (2) examine the relationship between inter-limb asymmetry and CMJ performance. Moreover, 30 adolescent basketball players (15 boys and 15 girls) aged 14 to 15 years participated in this study. The strength of the lower limb joints was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 60 degrees per second. Three maximal CMJs were performed, and the highest jump was used for the final analysis. The subjects were median-split into high-asymmetry (n = 15) and low-asymmetry (n = 15) groups based on the calculated strength asymmetry scores. The asymmetry scores were calculated using the formula: (dominant–non-dominant)/dominant* 100%. The inter-limb asymmetry data ranged from 12.2% to 21.6%. A Spearman correlation analysis showed that only the inter-limb asymmetry of the ankle plantar flexor was significantly correlated with the CMJ heights (ρ = −0.56, p = 0.001). An independent t-test revealed no significant differences in strength asymmetry between boys and girls (all p > 0.05). The low-asymmetry group demonstrated significantly greater CMJ performance compared to the high-asymmetry group (ES = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.34–1.87, p = 0.007), indicating that inter-limb asymmetry of the ankle plantar flexor has a significant negative impact on CMJ performance. Coaches should focus on enhancing both the strength and symmetry of the ankle joints to improve athletic performance and prevent injuries in sports, where jumping is a common movement.

The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in athletic health and performance by influencing metabolism, immunity, gastrointestinal integrity, and recovery. Advances in high-throughput sequencing and integrative multi-omics approaches have provided unprecedented insights into how microbial communities adapt to the physiological demands of training and competition. Key microbial taxa, including short-chain fatty acid producers, lactate utilizers, and carbohydrate fermenters, have been linked to enhanced endurance, reduced inflammation, and improved recovery, opening exciting opportunities for targeted probiotic interventions. While conventional probiotics remain valuable, next-generation engineered strains hold particular promise, supported by recent regulatory milestones such as FDA approvals of engineered probiotics and gene-edited livestock. In this narrative review, we synthesize recent multi-omics research to examine mechanistic links between the athlete gut microbiome and performance, evaluate current and emerging probiotic strategies, and highlight challenges related to personalization, standardization, and regulation. With longitudinal, performance-oriented trials and harmonized frameworks, microbiome-targeted interventions are poised to move beyond exploratory research toward evidence-based, precision tools that optimize athletic performance and recovery.