Immediate effects of lower cervical spine manipulation on handgrip strength and free-throw accuracy of asymptomatic basketball players: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to collect preliminary information for a study to determine the immediate effects of a single unilateral chiropractic manipulation to the lower cervical spine on handgrip strength and free-throw accuracy in asymptomatic male recreational basketball players. Methods: For this study, 24 asymptomatic male recreational right-handed basketball players (age = 26.3 ± 9.2 years, height = 1.81 ± 0.07 m, body mass = 82.6 ± 10.4 kg [mean ± SD]) underwent baseline dominant handgrip isometric strength and free-throw accuracy testing in an indoor basketball court. They were then equally randomized to receive either (1) diversified left lower cervical spine chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) at C5/C6 or (2) placebo CMT at C5/C6 using an Activator adjusting instrument on zero force setting. Participants then underwent posttesting of isometric handgrip strength and free-throw accuracy. A paired-samples t test was used to make within-group pre to post comparisons and between-group pre to post comparisons. improved by 0.7 kg (mean) in the CMT group (P = .710). Free-throw accuracy increased by 13.2% in the CMT group (P = .058). The placebo CMT group performed the same or more poorly during their second test session. Conclusions:The results of this preliminary study showed that a single lower cervical spine manipulation did not significantly impact basketball performance for this group of healthy asymptomatic participants. A slight increase in free-throw percentage was seen, which deserves further investigation. This pilot study demonstrates that a larger study to evaluate if CMT affects handgrip strength and free-throw accuracy is feasible.

High-velocity low-amplitude manipulation (thrust) and athletic performance: a systematic review

“…Hand-grip strength was measured by Hydraulic Dynamometers (2,16), and the vertical jump height was measured by an infrared optoelectronic system (23). On the other hand, running speed was measured through Running Tests of 30 and 40 meters utilizing photocells (6,15).…”

“…Due to the increase in adhesion and use of manual therapy by athletes and sports therapists, respectively, several studies have evaluated the effects of thrust in athletic performance through variables that directly relate to the sporting gesture of each modality, such as: hand-grip strength, height of jump and running speed (2,15,16). However, we have not found systematic reviews that addressed the issue.…”

“…The levels of competitiveness and the ever higher demand in the sports field have entailed an increasing pursuit for alternatives which can improve athletes performance, especially of those who avoid using drugs or undergoing surgery (1,2). To compete at high levels structurally and functionally healthy tissue are required along with a neuromuscular coordination network.…”

Effect of Lumbar Spine Manipulation on Asymptomatic Cyclist Sprint Performance and Hip Flexibility

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] There is limited research on how spinal manipulation may impact athletic performance. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Among asymptomatic participants, spinal manipulation has not been shown to acutely improve run time to exhaustion, maximum oxygen consumption, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate, exercise heart rate, free throw accuracy, or 30-m sprint time. [9][10][11][12] Spinal manipulation, however, has been shown to increase hip mobility among runners, 9 how far golfers can drive a ball, 14 and handgrip strength of judo athletes.…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Among asymptomatic participants, spinal manipulation has not been shown to acutely improve run time to exhaustion, maximum oxygen consumption, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate, exercise heart rate, free throw accuracy, or 30-m sprint time. [9][10][11][12] Spinal manipulation, however, has been shown to increase hip mobility among runners, 9 how far golfers can drive a ball, 14 and handgrip strength of judo athletes. 20 The mechanism by which spinal manipulation has impacted athletic performance in some research studies is unclear, but it may involve alterations in paraspinal muscle reflexes and motorneuron excitability 23 leading to increased force output.…”