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Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Sports Performance Enhancement: A Systematic Review
Marcelo B Botelho1, Bruno A P Alvarenga2, Nícolly Molina1
1Graduate Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to review the literature regarding the relationship between spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and sports performance.
Methods:
PubMed and Embase databases were searched for original studies published up to July 2016. Inclusion criteria were if SMT has been applied to athletes and if any sports performance-related outcome was measured.
Results:
Of the 581 potential studies, 7 clinical trials were selected. Most studies had adequate quality (≥6/11) when assessed by the PEDro scale. None of those studies assessed performance at an event or competition. Four studies revealed improvement in a sports performance test after SMT. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of the wide differences in methodologies, design, and outcomes measured. Spinal manipulative therapy influences a wide range of neurophysiological parameters that could be associated with sports performance. Of the 3 studies where SMT did not improve test performance, 2 used SMT not for therapeutic correction of a dysfunctional vertebral joint but to an arbitrary previously set joint.
Conclusions:
Although 4 of 7 studies showed that SMT improved sports performance tests, the evidence is still weak to support its use. Spinal manipulative therapy may be a promising approach for performance enhancement that should be investigated with more consistent methodologic designs.
