Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part G (2022)

Elite athletes constantly seek methods to enhance performance ^[1]. Pre-competition manipulation is a prevalent but underappreciated technique.

^[1] Depending on the assessment, HVLA thrust of the spinal or extremities joint is frequently used ^[1]. A manipulation is a single high-velocity thrust administered to a joint, or a sequence of joints, and the soft tissues around them ^[2]. Usually, the goal is to alleviate discomfort ^[2]. These treatments are only used on a patient who is completely relaxed ^[2]. A manipulative push technique extends the joint's typical physiological range for a brief period of time ^[2]. Accurate localisation of the joint position before to the procedure, followed by a carefully delivered thrust, will result in a movement that is so quick that the patient will barely notice it has started ^[2]. HVLA thrust may boost performance since it facilitates motor neuron pool excitability for 20-60s, according to basic physiological studies. When conducted on the joints of the lumbar spine, it results in a considerable increase in surface electromyographically measured erector spinae isometric maximal voluntary contraction muscle output and is helpful in providing short-term pain relief ^[1]. HVLA thrust, a type of spinal manipulation, has been demonstrated to activate the brain in studies. Mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors from structures in and around the manipulated joint ^[40]. The altered afferent input arising from the stimulation of these receptors is thought to cause changes in motor neuron excitability, which then results in local or regional muscular changes around the manipulation site ^[40]. Manipulative treatment has been provided as standard of care to athletes at Olympic Games and other international multisport games ^[41]. Pre competition manipulation may help enhance musculoskeletal function by warming up soft tissues to optimize joint function ^[41]. Many articles have shown significant immediate effects of HVLA, however not many studies have focused on long term effects. Shrier I et al. did a pilot study that showed pre event manipulation improved the sprint time in athletes ^[1]. Therefore, this study will be focusing on effects of lumbar HVLA thrust on speed and agility in elite athletes.

1.To check the effect of lumbar HVLA on speed in elite athletes after 2 weeks.

2.To check the effect of lumbar HVLA on agility in elite athletes after 2 weeks.

Methodology: With the permission of ethical committee the study was started. Consent was taken from the athletes participating in the study. 42 players were selected for the study based on the inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into 2 groups Group A (Interventional) (N=22) and Group B (Control) (N=20). Single blinding method was used in this study in which the athletes were kept ignorant of either of the group they are assigned to but the therapist was in possession of this knowledge Group A was given HVLA along with conventional. Group B was given conventional training. Pre intervention speed and agility were recorded in both groups. Post intervention (post 2 weeks) speed and agility was done again in both the groups. For interventional group and control group the training protocol was composed of 10mins warm up exercises with stretching, 40 minutes of exercises with adequate breaks in between, 10mins of cool down exercise.

Data was analysed using Wilcoxon rank t test in Group A within the group and Paired t test in group B within the group. And unpaired t test was used to analyse the data of speed between group A & B and Mann Whitney test for agility between group A & B.

Result: HVLA thrust showed non-significant improvement (p value- 0.12) for speed in elite athletes when compared to conventional training. HVLA thrust showed not quite significant improvement (p value-0.07) for agility in elite athletes when compared to conventional training.

Conclusion: Interventional group showed clinically significant improvement within the group. But on comparing with the control group the results were not significant. Further studies are needed with larger sample size to find the effects of HVLA thrust in performance of elite athletes.