Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background: Sport as a whole, and especially cycling, has become a major part of the majority of the
world population’s daily lives. There have been several studies done to determine the effects of
chiropractic treatment on individual muscle groups (Maris, 2003; Sher, 2002). However, very few
studies have been done to look at the combined effects of chiropractic on the performance of specific
sports.
Objective: To investigate the effects of chiropractic manipulative therapy on power output over a one
kilometer distance in asymptomatic amateur cyclists.
Method: The study consisted of 30 participants. All participants accepted had to meet the inclusion
criteria. They were equally and randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 received chiropractic therapy
of the lumbar spine. Group 2 received chiropractic therapy of the sacroiliac joint whilst participants in
Group 3 received no immediate intervention as they were the control group. Participants in Group 1 and
2 were motion palpated to determine the level of spinal dysfunction. All three groups then cycled on a
stationary bike for a one kilometer sprint. Allocated treatment for Group 1 and Group 2 then followed,
with Group 3 receiving no intervention. Objective measurements consisted of average power output as
well as time over the one kilometer distance from start to finish.
Results: Both test groups showed significant clinical as well as statistical improvement over the six
week clinical study period. This means that as the average power output measurements increased, the
time decreased for both Group 1 and Group 2. Although there were some degree of increased power
output and decrease in time of Group 3, it was not significant enough to say that they had increased
performance.
Conclusion: Chiropractic manipulative therapy did cause an increase in average power output in
asymptomatic amateur cyclists over a one kilometer distance.