Immediate Effect Of Lumbar Manipulation On Lumbar Range Of Motion And Lower Limb Functional Test In Recreational Football Players: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Context: Football is a commonly played sport. Functional impediments in footballers may arise due to decreased spinal mobility, which affects quality of life and performance. Manipulative treatment is a manual therapy techniques which uses a high velocity “thrust” applied to a synovial joint over very short amplitude. Aims:To evaluate the immediate effect of lumbar manipulation on lumbar range of motion (ROM) and lower limb function in footballers. Methods and Material:22 male footballers of 18 to 30 years underwent a single session of lumbar manipulation. Modified-modified Schober‟s test was used to evaluate changes in lumbar ROM, while Anterior, Postero-lateral and Postero- medial components of Star excursion balance test (SEBT) were used to measure dynamic balance and single leg triple hop distance test for lower limb strength. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in outcome measures obtained. Post intervention t-value and p-value for SEBT Anterior (t= 5.583, p= 0.001), SEBT Postero-medial (t=10.376, P=0.001), SEBT Postero-lateral (t=8.495, P=0.001), Lumbar ROM (t=2.569, p=0.018), Triple hop (t=6.492, p=0.001). Conclusions: Lumbar manipulation has shown to increase lumbar ROM and enhance performance of lower limb functional tests in footballers. Thus this study recommends lumbar manipulation can be applied to enhance the performance of the players.