2015, Volume 11

Evaluation of the effects of musculofascial therapy on the degree values for physiological spine curvatures, altered due to long-term kick-boxing training

Paweł Szulc¹, Michał Wendt², Jakub Przydanek¹, Piotr Bartkowiak¹, Małgorzata Waszak¹, Krystyna Cieślik¹, Jacek Lewandowski<sup>3

1</sup>Department of Functional Anatomy, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland, Poznan, Poland
²Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland, Poznan, Poland
³Depatment of Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland, Poznan, Poland


Author for correspondence: Michał Wendt; Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland, Poznan, Poland; email: wendt.m[at]interia.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Changes of spinal curvatures caused by training effect of different sport disciplines have been discussed by many researchers. However, there is a distinct lack of records on the effect training kick-boxing has on the functional parameters of the spine. The aim of this paper was the knowledge about the degree values of spine curvatures among subjects training kick-boxing and the effect of myofascial therapy on these spine parameters.
Material and Methods: The study group comprised of 15 males (18-25 years of age), who have been training kick-boxing. The control group comprised of 15 males in the same age range, who did not train any sports. The degree values for spine curvatures were determined with a tensometric electrogoniometer by Penny & Giles, modified by Boocock. Subjects training kick-boxing underwent 2-week soft tissue therapy based on the methodology of Anatomy Trains by T. Myers.
Results: The study group and the controls differed significantly in terms of all the analyzed degree values for spine curvatures. Kick-boxers presented with deeper spine curvatures, when compared to both respective reference limits and the controls. The therapy exerted beneficial effect, decreasing deepened spine curvatures (significant at p≤0.001). However, the result was not maintained, as shown by the measurements taken three months after completing the therapy. Nevertheless, the curvatures did not return to the pretreatment values.
Conclusion: Training kick-boxing can lead to an increase in degree values of spine curvatures. Myofascial techniques should be an integral part of kick-boxers’ biological regeneration program.

Key words: combat sport, electrogoniometry, physical therapy modalities, rehabilitation, spine