Abstract
Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective method of pre-event treatment for
asymptomatic patients through comparing lumbar spine manipulation, lower extremity manipulation and a
combination of both on the effect of explosive power and agility, as a measure of improvement.
Method: Thirty asymptomatic athletes of moderate to high activity, indicated by the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ) participated in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into three equal groups.
Group 1 received lumbar spine and pelvis manipulation. Group 2 received lower limb manipulation only and Group
3 received a combination of lumbar spine, pelvis and lower extremity manipulation. Participants had to meet the
inclusion and exclusion criteria to be part of the study.
Procedure: The study consisted of six consultations over a three week period, with intervention on every
consultation and objective data obtained before and after intervention. The intervention period consisted of motion
palpation of the specific groups’ regions and manipulative therapy of the findings in each region.
Results: All three groups showed improvements in jump height, jump pressure output and the Illinois test. Group
1 showed an average increase in jump height of 3.26 cm, 2.5 Pa average increase in pressure output and 1.32
seconds average increase for the run of the Illinois test. Group 2 showed an average increase in jump height of
3.10 cm, 1.7 Pa average increase in pressure output and 1.03 second average increase for the run of the Illinois
test. Group 3 showed an average increase in jump height of 3.09 cm, 2.8 Pa average increase in pressure output
and 1.86 second average increase for the run of the Illinois test. Analysis done on the immediate effect of
Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) on the hang time during the vertical jump test, displayed an overall
statistically significant effect 33 %. Although some effect was achieved, the intervention had no constant
improvement on the jump hang time. The minor result was attributed to the small changes in readings.
Conclusion: Although results obtained were not statistically significant (p>0.05), it demonstrated from a clinical
perspective that interventions caused an improvement in jump height, jump pressure output and the Illinois tests’
time in all three groups. Group 3 showed a greater improvement in every aspect, despite being the group with the
least demographical advantage. Group 1 had the second best results...