Manual Therapies
Conditions
Keywords
neuromuscular properties, strength, power, performance
Brief summary
The present study aims to assess the effects of spinal manipulation therapy on neuromuscular performance.
Detailed description
The present study will follow a parallel, pre-post design. The aim will be to determine the acute effects of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) on different neuromuscular properties of recreational cyclists. Specifically, the investigators will measure the maximum force production capacity and muscle activation of the knee extensors concomitantly during a maximal voluntary contraction, as well as the maximum and mean power attained during a Wingate cycling test (i.e., 30 seconds 'all out'). Participants will undergo the tests on two different occasions separated by at least 48 hours and a maximum of 2 weeks. The same tests will be conducted in both testing sessions, but participants will be randomly assigned into two groups (sham or actual SMT) immediately before the second testing session.
Interventions
PROCEDURESpinal manipulative therapy
Participants in the actual spinal manipulative therapy group will be assessed through the activator basic method protocol. SMT will be performed with an Activator IV (Activator Methods International, Phoenix, AZ) setting the force at level 3 for the low thoracic spine (T7-T12), and level 4 for the lumbar spine and pelvis.
Participants in the sham SMT group will undergo a protocol identical to the actual one, with the exception that a sham mechanical thrust (force set at level 0) will be delivered to the targeted areas. In the force level 0 no excursion of the stylus occurs, but the instrument produces the same clicking sound as in the actual SMT condition
Sponsors
University of Alcala
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants will receive either a sham procedure or the actual intervention. The researchers in charge of outcome assessment and statistical analysis will be blinded to the allocation of participants.
Intervention model description
Randomized, parallel, pre-post study design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Will be recruited from three different local triathlon and cycling clubs. * Will have to cycle at least 4 hours per week during the preceding 3 months, and to have a cycling experience greater than 2 years
Exclusion criteria
* Having suffered an injury in the month before the study that precluded regular exercise practice * Having suffered any type of spine injury before the study * Having previously received Spinal Manipulation Therapy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal force | On the control session and on the intervention session (immediately after the sham or actual SMT procedure) | Peak force registered during an isometric maximal voluntary contraction of the knee extensors. |
| Voluntary activation | On the control session and on the intervention session (immediately after the sham or actual SMT procedure) | Electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis muscle registered during an isometric maximal voluntary contraction of the knee extensors. |
| Peak power | On the control session and on the intervention session (immediately after the sham or actual SMT procedure) | Peak power registered during a 30-second Wingate anaerobic cycling test |
| Mean power | On the control session and on the intervention session (immediately after the sham or actual SMT procedure) | Mean power registered during a 30-second Wingate anaerobic cycling test |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed