Short-term neurophysiological response after spinal thrust manipulation to guide return-to-throwing in collegiate...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurophysiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Overhead throwing athletes face high injury rates.
• Current return-to-throwing protocols often lack objective neurophysiological markers.
• Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is a potential neurophysiological marker.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate physical performance tests and PPT changes post-spinal thrust manipulation (STM) as biomarkers.
• To predict performance and reduce injury risk in overhead throwing athletes.
• To evaluate the utility of the medicine ball scoop test and PPT in return-to-throwing decisions.

Main Methods:

• Baseball pitchers were recruited and randomly assigned to STM or sham interventions.
• A 1-2 week washout period was implemented.
• Performance measures, including medicine ball scoop test distance, and PPT were assessed post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Medicine ball scoop test distance was the strongest predictor of throwing velocity (R²=0.509, p < 0.001).
• Combining medicine ball scoop test distance with STM-induced PPT change improved predictive power (R²=0.630, p < 0.001).
• STM-induced PPT changes may indicate enhanced neurophysiological modulation.

Conclusions:

• The medicine ball scoop test is a valuable tool for assessing throwing velocity and informing return-to-throwing decisions.
• STM-induced PPT changes show promise as a novel biomarker for performance potential.
• Integrating physical and neurophysiological markers can optimize athlete management and reduce injury risk.