Acute Effects of Neurodynamics on Strength and Endurance in Athletes

High Point University45 enrolled

Overview

This study explores the acute effects of neurodynamics, an intervention commonly used by physical therapist to improve nerve mobility and decrease pain, on the strength and muscular endurance in the athletic population. This study aims to find if these interventions can maintain or promote strength and endurance in the hamstrings. The studies results will help physical therapist better prescribe exercise and hands-on treatment for hamstring and sciatic nerve related conditions and injuries.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sciatic Leg Pain Hamstring Muscle Tightness Hamstring Muscle Strain Hamstring Muscle Strength Hamstring Injuries

Interventions

Sciatic SliderOTHER

Mobility of a nerve, by placing tension on one end of the nerve and slacking (removing) tension off the other side of the nerve, through a full range of motion.

Sciatic TensionerOTHER

Loading the nerve, by placing tension on both ends of the nerve, isometrically at end range of motion.

Mechanically loaded neurodynamic sciatic flossOTHER

Placing tension on one end of the nerve while taking the tension off the other end, under external load of an elastic resistance band.

Elastic Resistance BandDEVICE

Elastic resistance band was used to provide submaximal resistance during the mechanically loaded neurodynamic intervention.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be between 18 and 30 years of age. * Must be able to read, understand, and provide informed consent, in English. * Must be currently participating in an organized sport (e.g. collegiate, club, or competitive recreational level) or engaging in structured resistance training and athletic conditioning for recreational sports events (e.g 5k, marathon, Crossfit, Hyrox, etc). * Medically stable with no known contraindications to physical exertion. * Cleared for participation in strength or maximal-effort isometric testing. * Be able to perform lower extremity isometric testing without pain that limits maximal effort. * Must have 2 lower extremities capable to producing full range knee flexion and extension range of motion. * No medical condition that significantly alters lower extremity neuromuscular performance. * No history of lower extremity surgery in the past 12 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals younger than 18 or older than 30. * Acute lower extremity injury in the last 12 weeks. * Lower extremity surgery within the last 12 months. * Pain in either lower extremity that would limit maximal physical exertion. * History of neurological disorders, including but not limited to: Neuropathy, Stoke, MS, Parkinson's Disease, etc. * Use of medications that significantly impact neuromuscular performance, strength or fatigue. * No supplementation that affects neuromuscular performance, strength, or fatigue. * Unable to read and understand English. * Not in a vulnerable population: Pregnant, mentally or physically challenged, cognitively impaired.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Isometric Strength

Isometric strength of the hamstrings in knee flexion.

Time frame: From initial strength and endurance test, to the post intervention strength and endurance test, assessed during a single study visit, assessed up to 30 minutes.

Secondary Outcomes

Endurance Ratio (isokinetic)

Endurance ratio of knee flexion, measured isokinetically.

Time frame: From initial endurance test to post intervention endurance test, during a single study visit, assessed up to 30 minutes.