title: The acute effects of spinal manipulation on neuromuscular function in asymptomatic individuals: A preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the acute effects of spinal manipulation on neuromuscular function in asymptomatic individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled, cross-over trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spinal manipulation (SM) is used as therapeutic modality for various neuromuscular disorders and also in sport with asymptomatic individuals to improve range of motion and/or facilitate motor control. Experimental evidence of its effectiveness is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  27 asymptomatic participants (15 males and 12 females) [age (mean ± standard deviation) 24 ± 3 years] were exposed to three separate treatments in random order: 1) Spinal Manipulation of the lumbar spine (MAN); 2) Stretching of the Lumbar spine (STR); 3) sham manipulation (SHA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Before (PRE), after (POST) and 15 min after (15_MIN) each treatment, the participants were asked to perform three tasks always in the same order: 1) force fluctuation task; 2) Modified Sörensen's test; 3) sit and reach. Surface EMG was recorded from Gastrocnemius medialis and Erector Spinae muscles using linear arrays during task 1 and 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAN was not shown to determine improvements superior to other treatments in the control of force output and sEMG parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies with larger populations are needed in order to ascertain the effectiveness of SM on neuromuscular function.
authors.affiliation: Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar; Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, UK; University of Aberdeen, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: Marco.cardinale@aspire.qa.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardinale
authors.affiliation: Motor Science Research Center, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: boccia.gennaro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.affiliation: The Waldegrave Clinic, Teddington UK. Electronic address: greenway1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Greenway
authors.affiliation: The Waldegrave Clinic, Teddington UK. Electronic address: OEvans@waldegraveclinic.co.uk.
authors.forename: Owain
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Motor Science Research Center, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.rainoldi@unito.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rainoldi
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D056888:Patient Positioning; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EMG; Force fluctuation; Neuromuscular responses; Spinal manipulation