Research Articles

1. Lauro (1991) studied the effect of spinal manipulation on athletic ability in a group of 50 asymptomatic athletes by performing 11 tests. A Chiropractic group was compared with a control group that received no care. Tests carried out measured agility, balance, power, speed reaction and hand reaction time.

In the control group (no chiropractic) there was a 4.5% improvement in 6 weeks and scores improved in 8 out of 11 tests.  In the chiropractic group improvement at 6 weeks was 10.57% and all 11-test scores improved.  After 12 weeks the chiropractic groups’ improvement was 16.7%. “The (chiropractic) athlete reacts faster, co-ordinates better, executes fine movement with improved accuracy and precision, amounting to an overall better athlete.” (Lauro 1991)

2. Watson (1995) followed 52 high-level soccer/rugby players to assess the relationship between injuries and body mechanics.  He used photos with prints on a metric grid to detect asymmetries of shoulder, back, trunk and lower limbs.  The incidence of injury was linked to body mechanical defects at the site of injury.  The most commonly found defects were sway back, reversed spinal curve, shoulder asymmetry, scoliosis, rib hump, foot and knee problems.  The findings of this study suggest that asymmetry and body imbalance lead to a greater incidence of injury.

3. Herzog (1991) reported that the biomechanics of walking were improved after Chiropractic adjustments, with symmetry and load distribution improving significantly.

References
1. Lauro BM, Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigations, 1991, 6(4) pp 84-87

2. Watson, Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 1995; 35(4): 289-294

3. Herzog, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1991; 14(2):104-9