Comparative Effects of Lower Body Quadrant Neural Mobilization and Stretching in Collegiate Football Players
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Straight Leg Raise Test
Study Overview
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 25 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
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
Arms & Interventions
Dynamic Stretching Group (DSG)
4 sets of 10 repetitions will be performed, each exercise cycle lasting 6 seconds, and a 1-minute rest period will be given between sets. All stretching exercises will be performed in two circuits.
Intervention: Dynamic Stretching Group (DSG) (Other)
Static Stretching Group (SSG)
4 sets of 4 repetitions will be applied to the lumbar extensor, hamstring, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles located in both extremities, each stretching will last for 15 seconds and a 1-minute rest period will be given between sets.
Intervention: Static Stretching Group (SSG) (Other)
Neural Mobilization Group (NMG)
Participants of NMG performed sciatic, femoral and peroneal nerve and lumbar region gliding. All glides include 4 sets of 10 repetitions, with each gliding cycle lasting 6 seconds, and a 1-minute rest between sets for both extremities.
Intervention: Neural Mobilization Group (NMG) (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Straight Leg Raise Test
Time Frame: 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 Outcomes
- Y Balance Test(From pre-interventional time to post-interventional about an hour)
Investigators
gizem ergezen
Principal Investigator
Istanbul Medipol University Hospital