Comparative Effects of Lower Body Quadrant Neural Mobilization and Stretching in Collegiate Football Players

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Stretch; Stretch Injury; Sports Physical Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT06298851
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Brief Summary

Neural mobilization (NM) refers to a therapeutic interventions that aim to directly or indirectly influence neural structures and adjacent tissues through manual techniques or exercise. The application of NM has been investigated in both patients and healthy individuals. In this study, participants from an amateur football team will be allocated into three groups, each undergoing pre-training warm-up protocols incorporating NM, dynamic stretching, or static stretching. Following the warm-up protocols, the effects on flexibility and athletic performance will be evaluated and compared across the groups.

Detailed Description

Neural mobilization (NM) is an intervention that involves manual techniques or exercises designed to affect neural structures and surrounding tissues. It aims to restore normal neural mechanical and physiological responses to movement and posture by facilitating the sliding and tension of the nerves. NM techniques can be divided into two groups: gliding, which involves different joint movements, and tension, which extends the nerves in more than one joint. Although NM has been linked to various neurophysiological benefits, the precise mechanisms underlying its clinical efficacy remain uncertain.

The peripheral nervous system demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing mechanical forces encountered during daily activities and sports through nerve gliding and sliding mechanisms. Impaired gliding may result in increased neural stress and ischemic damage, affecting neural function. NM has been shown to improve lower extremity flexibility, which is crucial for enhancing functionality and minimizing injury risk in athletes. Neurodynamic techniques are frequently used to increase hamstring flexibility and reduce neural mechanosensitivity, contributing positively to athletic performance and injury prevention.

The aim of this study is to examine the comparative effects of static stretching, dynamic stretching and neural mobilization techniques used in pre-training warm-up sessions on flexibility and performance in collegiate football players.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-02-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-03-01
• Study First Posted: 2024-03-07
• Study Start: 2024-03-08
• Primary Completion: 2024-03-25
• Study Completion: 2024-03-31
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-15
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Between the ages of 18-25
• Not having had a lower or upper extremity injury in the last 3 months
• Not having had surgery in the last 6 months
• Playing amateur football regularly for at least 1 year

Exclusion Criteria

• Orthopedic, neurological, rheumatological or cardiorespiratory health problems that would prevent them from performing the tests

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Straight Leg Raise Test	From pre-interventional time to post-interventional about an hour	The passive straight leg raise test will be used to determine changes in the flexibility of the hamstring muscle. With the participant in the supine position, the lateral condyle of the femur, fibular head, and fibular malleolus will be identified. The axis of a goniometer will be placed over the protrusion of the greater trochanter of the femur. One of the arms of the goniometer will be placed parallel to the table. The knee and ankle will be kept in the extension position. By holding the talus and without rotating the hip, flexion of the hip will be gradually increased. Participants' lower extremities will be elevated until they complain of pain in the rear thigh area. Care will be taken to ensure that they do not bend their knees and that the pelvis is not in retroversion. Then, the other arm of the goniometer will be placed in the direction of the line between the head of the fibula and the fibular malleolus and the degree of height of the straight leg will be noted.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Y Balance Test	From pre-interventional time to post-interventional about an hour	Participants will stand on the foot plate in the center of the Y Balance Test area. Participants will be instructed to maintain a single-leg stance while reaching as far as possible with the opposite leg and return to the starting position on the middle platform without losing balance. In the test, participants will be allowed 3 attempts for both lower extremities and will be asked to reach the maximum distance in 3 directions anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral. The maximum reach distance will be recorded for each consecutive attempt.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul Medipol University; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey