The effects of ankle and proximal tibiofibular manipulations on ankle range of motion (ROM) and squat strength and biomechanics
The effects of ankle and proximal tibiofibular manipulations on ankle ROM and squat strength and biomechanics in adults aged 20 to 40 years with limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Murdoch University
23 participants
Jul 4, 2022
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
This project is a cross-over trial that will compare the effect of two approaches to lower limb manipulation on maximum strength and movement strategies during a weighted squat, using healthy participants with experience in strength training and with limited ankle mobility. Each participant will attend three sessions. The first session will involve familiarisation with the procedures and baseline tests. The second and third sessions will involve a series of different manipulations to the ankle and knee. After each treatment, participants will perform a weighted squat and strength and movement strategies will be recorded using video motion capture. We hypothesise that the ankle and knee manipulations will improve maximum squat weight, lower limb movement strategies, and ankle range of motion, with possible differences between the two approaches.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Male and female participants between 20-40 years of age.
- Good physical health including no history of ankle injury (sprain and/or strain).
- Physically active, defined as a 12-month history of resistance training, including back squats averaging at least 1 session per week over the last 12 month and at least once per week for 8 weeks prior to screening
- Able to squat at least one times body weight for a 1 repetition maximum (1RM), and able to squat to a depth of at least the thigh parallel to the ground.
- Limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM), on at least one ankle of less than 44 degrees tested using the weightbearing lunge test
Exclusion Criteria5
- Any contraindication to extremity manipulation therapy, including a history of neurological diseases, rheumatoid diseases, or osteoarthritis of lower limbs or spine, self-reported injury within the past 6 months to the ankle, knee or hip including minor sprain, strains or fracture, receiving any major surgery to the lower limbs in the past 12 months, receiving any surgery that included internal fixations in the lower limbs.
- Any contraindication to strenuous exercise, based on the criteria set out in stage 1 of the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System
- Any joint manipulation to the lower limbs in the past 6 weeks.
- Score of less than 80 on the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) questionnaire, indicating impaired foot and ankle function (incorporated in the Demographic and Screening Questionnaire).
- Female participants: pregnant or 3 months post-partum, or during a menstrual bleed.
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Interventions
This is a double-blind randomised cross-over trial with 3 sessions. Session 1 involves familiarisation with the procedures and baseline tests. Sessions 2 and 3 will involve either a series of ankle and knee manipulations, or a series of sham manipulations. Session 1 and 2 will be separated by at least three days, and session 2 and 3 by seven to eight days (wash out). Each session will last 1 - 1.5 hours. The data collector will monitor adherence to the specified time frames between sessions using a spreadsheet to track attendance. The ankle and knee manipulations with involve a series of high velocity low amplitude thrust manipulations to bilateral ankle and knee joints, and are collectively intended to encourage mobility and especially dorsiflexion of the ankle/foot complex. Manipulations will involve: - Talocrural joint long axis distraction - Talocrural joint posterior glide manipulation - Subtalar lateral glide manipulation - Tarsometatarsal joint dorsal to plantar manipulation - Proximal tibiofibular joint posterior to anterior manipulation Interventions will be delivered by a registered chiropractor. A maximum of 2 attempts at each joint will be performed, based on perceived success of the first attempt. The success of the intervention at each joint will be determined subjectively by the clinician, and not necessarily based on an audible cavitation that can accompany joint manipulation.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12622000811707