ORIGINAL PAPER
Influence of neural mobilization of lower limbs on the functional performance and dynamic balance in asymptomatic individuals: a cross-over randomized controlled trial
 
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1
Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil
 
2
Specialization in Manual Therapy, Inspirar College, Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
 
3
Department of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
 
4
Department of Community and Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
 
 
Online publication date: 2018-02-26
 
 
Hum Mov. 2017;18(4):10-16
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
To verify the influence of neural mobilization (NM) applied to the lower limbs on functional performance and dynamic balance in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods:
The total of 30 asymptomatic participants (15 women and 15 men; age, 30.1 ± 6.7 years; height, 1.70 ± 0.1 m; body mass, 73.1 ± 13.4 kg) were enrolled in this cross-over randomized controlled trial. The participants received NM of the femoral, sciatic, and tibial nerves, as well as static stretching (SS) of the following muscles: hamstring, lumbar, piriformis, hip adductors, hip flexors, quadriceps, and triceps surae. The order of applying NM and SS was randomly decided and the interventions were performed at least 48 hours apart. Functional performance was measured by performance in vertical jump (VJ) and dynamic balance was measured with the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).

Results:
There were no differences between NM and SS for height (cm) in VJ (p = 0.16) or in the distance reached (%) in the SEBT, normalized by lower limb length (dominant limb: anterior, p = 0.35; posterolateral, p = 0.69; posteromedial, p = 0.50 / non-dominant limb: anterior, p = 0.68; posterolateral, p = 1.00; posteromedial, p = 0.77).

Conclusions:
NM did not exert any influence on functional performance or dynamic balance. Thereby, having no positive or negative impact on performance, NM can be used at any time of treatment.

ISSN:1899-1955
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