The Effects of Cervical and Thoracic Manipulation Therapy Applied to Weightlifting Athletes

The effects of manipulation therapy on the autonomic nervous system have been examined in the literature and while no sympathetic or parasympathetic changes were found after upper thoracic manipulation, a decrease in sympathetic data was observed after lower thoracic manipulation and an increase in parasympathetic data was observed. On the other hand, a different study found that thoracic manipulation did not cause any changes such as an increase or decrease in the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, although there are uncertainties in the autonomic role of manipulation therapy, its effect on respiration is intriguing when positive studies are considered.

In a study aiming to evaluate the effect of thoracic manipulation on respiratory function, segmental manipulation treatment was applied to healthy individuals by detecting the vertebrae in the thoracic region where normal joint movements were lost, and it was determined that the respiratory functions of the manipulation group improved significantly compared to the group that did not receive treatment. In another study conducted on healthy individuals, the subjects were divided into manipulation group, exercise and manipulation group and control groups. At the end of the study, it was determined that there was a significant increase in the respiratory functions of the participants in the manipulation group, while an additional increase was observed in the group combined with exercise, but this was not significant. No change was observed in the control group.

When the literature is examined, it is noteworthy that the effects of manipulation treatments on respiration remain unclear, and especially the inadequacy of studies on Olympic-style weightlifters and the ongoing search for increasing athletic performance in this area.

This study aims to examine the effects of cervical and thoracic manipulation treatments on respiratory muscle strength, respiratory functions and cervical and thoracic region joint range of motion in weightlifters.

The main question it aims to answer is:

- Is cervical and thoracic manipulation therapy applied to Olympic style weightlifters effective on respiration?

Our study is planned as a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind experimental study. A total of 40 female and male elite and non-elite weightlifters between the ages of 13-35 will be evaluated for our study.

The minimum sample size of the study was found to be at least 40 people, with at least 20 people in each group, with 90% power at a 95% confidence interval.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being a weightlifter,
* Having asymptomatic dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine,
* Not having received any manipulative treatment in the last six months,
* Individuals who do not have a condition that prevents chiropractic manipulation treatment will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having had an injury related to the musculoskeletal system in the upper and lower extremities in the last month,
* Having any neurological and psychiatric disorders,
* Having cervical disc herniations,
* Having a disorder related to the cardiac and respiratory systems,
* Having an infectious, rheumatological, metabolic and endocrinological disorder,
* Having dislocation, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, discopathy, rheumatoid arthritis,
* Taking anticoagulant treatment,
* Individuals who have recently undergone an operation involving the cervical and thoracic regions will not be included in the study.