Abstract
Abstract:Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether chiropractic spinal manipulation delivered to the lumbar spine (L/S) and/or sacroiliac joint (SIJ), would have an effect on the speed of a hockey ball when hit by a field hockey player. It is postulated that by increasing the lumbar spine and SIJ range of motion in hockey players experiencing dysfunction in either of these areas and therefore decreasing any pain, will allow field hockey players to increase the ball speed during a hockey hit. This would strongly suggest that by restoring the L/S and SIJ dysfunction through a chiropractic manipulation, chiropractic treatment could be a beneficial requirement to the game of field hockey.
Method: The participants for this study were recruited mainly from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Hockey Club. The players at this institute are currently playing at club, provincial and national levels.
Thirty national, provincial or club participants, that met the selection criteria, were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group 1: treatment group and Group 2: control group. Group 1 participants were motion palpated and the lumbar and/or sacroiliac restrictions were manipulated, while the Group 2 participants received no chiropractic treatment or manipulation. Consultations for both groups occurred over a two week period with the treatment group receiving two manipulations per week.
Procedure: The data was captured during all four consultations over the two week period. Readings were recorded before each consultation followed by motion palpation and manipulation or no treatment, depending on their respective groups. Data capturing consisted of two objective measurements: digital inclinometer measurements (degrees) of the lumbar spine range of motion and radar gun speed (km/h) readings taken once the hockey ball was hit.
Results: A majority of the data obtained in this study showed it was not statistically significant for either of the groups. From a clinical perspective there was a definite effect on the lumbar spine range of motion and unfortunately little effect was showed regarding the ball speed.