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Faculty of Health Sciences

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    The effect of lumbar spine, sacro-iliac and/or hip joint manipulation on muscle activity and performance in road cycling
    (2018) Fuller, Pia Alexa; Matkovich, Grant; Puckree, Threethambal
    BACKGROUND Cycling is a highly competitive sport where athletes are continuously looking for ways to improve their performances in order to gain what might be seconds over their components. Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to restore the balances of the kinematic chain and stimulate motoneuron pools and therefore by implementing this technique into their training regime, it may show improvement in muscle activity distributions, demands and efficiency thus resulting in better cycling performance. OBJECTIVES To determine the participants muscle activity (amplitude of surface EMG) and cycling performance in terms of power output (W), cycling speed (km/h), cadence (rpm), and completion time (seconds) before and after lumbar spine, sacro-iliac joint and/or hip joint manipulation intervention. METHOD Sixty-one asymptomatic amateur cyclists performed two 1.5km time-trials pre- and post- manipulative intervention. The pre- and post-intervention data of muscle activity (amplitude of surface EMG) and cycling performance (power output (W), cycling speed (km/h), cadence (rpm), and completion time (seconds)) were captured. IBM SPSS version 24 was used to analyse the data. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS There was no significant change in muscle activity post-lumbar spine manipulation. There was a significant decrease in cycling performance post-lumbar spine manipulation. Sacro-iliac joint showed no significant change in muscle activity post-manipulation. The study data demonstrated a significant decrease in cycling performance post sacro-iliac joint manipulation. There was no significant change in muscle activity post hip joint manipulation. A significant decrease in power output and speed post hip joint manipulation, no significant effect of overall performance. Combination manipulation intervention showed a significant decrease in muscle activity of iliopsoas muscle. Combination manipulation showed no significant change in cycling performance. CONCLUSIONS There was a visual trend that showed, although there was a decrease in overall cycling performance in the lumbar spine and sacro-iliac joint manipulation groups post-intervention, with no significant changes in the hip joint and combination manipulation groups post- intervention – these athletes were more efficient cyclists post manipulative intervention particularly those who received the combination of adjustments.
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    An investigation into the effectiveness of core muscle strengthening on cycling performance in asymptomatic cyclists
    (2014-04-08) Wiseman, Kate; Jones, Andrew D.
    Background : Core strengthening may improve athletic ability by providing stability to the trunk, and as a result, stabilising the pelvis. The leverage from which cyclists generate power may be enhanced as a result of a stable pelvis, thereby improving the cyclist’s performance. In the popular, highly competitive sport of cycling, performance enhancement is much sought after. Despite its widespread use, research involving core strengthening in sporting situations is lacking, with studies investigating the effect of a core strengthening programme on cycling performance yet to be investigated. Objectives : To determine the participants’ cycling speed, power, cadence and completion time, and core strength in terms of objective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ heart rate in terms of objective findings, and the rate of perceived exertion in terms of subjective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ perception of change in speed, power and cadence post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. Method : Forty-two asymptomatic cyclists performed two 1.5 km time trials, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention. Core strength assessments were performed pre- and post- intervention, using the Pressure Biofeedback Unit, and the maximum and average speed (km/hr), power (w) and cadence (rpm), and completion time (s) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, using the Computerised Electromagnetic Roller resistance Ergometer (Tacx Trainer). Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, as well as the participant’s perception of change in speed, power, and cadence post- intervention. SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc) was used to analyse the data, in the whole sample and stratified into two age strata. Results : ll cycling performance indicators, speed, power, cadence and completion time showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample, and within the two age strata. Core strength indicators showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. A significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion and corresponding heart rate measurements post- intervention was observed in the whole sample. Similarly, the younger age strata reflected a significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion, however heart rate measurements were not significant. In contrast, the older age strata showed significant changes in heart rate measurements, with no significance in rate of perceived exertion measurements. The majority of participants experienced an increased perception in all outcomes post- intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that core strengthening had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) on cycling performance, both in terms of objective and subjective findings. Future studies could address the effect of core strengthening in an endurance setting.