Steve Bitticker
Gannon University, USA
Title: A single blinded study, examining effects of thoracic spinal mobilization on exercise capacity in asymptomatic individuals
Biography
Biography: Steve Bitticker
Abstract
Current evidence supports changes in heart rate (HR) and respiration after thoracic mobilization, however, there is a minimal research, investigating any potential impact on activity tolerance. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of Grade V thoracic mobilization (TM) on exercise capacity of asymptomatic individuals through metabolic analysis during a 6 minute walk (SMW) test. Thirty-one volunteers (age range 21-27) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or an intervention group (IG). Participants underwent baseline trial on day 1 by resting supine 5 minutes prior to SMW test. Researchers, blinded to subject group, recorded metabolic output, HR and respiratory rate (RR) during a SMW test. On day two, participants in the IG underwent 4 posterior-anterior HVLA (high velocity-low amplitude) TM. Immediately after intervention participants resumed day one protocol. The CG repeated day 1 protocol only. Statistical significance was detected within the IG mean difference using a paired t-test for HR, (p=0.0141), and for (RR) (p=0.0452) comparing day 1 with day 2, and for mean difference (between groups) value using a two-sample t-test for mean highest VO2 (p=0.0423). Statistical significance was detected in the IG suggesting an association between Grade V HVLA TM and lowered HR and RR. Clinical relevance is that, improvements in exercise capacity post-mobilization directly relate to physical tolerance to sub-maximal activity.