Background There is a close biomechanical relationship that exists between the sacroiliac and hip joints. It is essential to have optimum hip range of motion originating from the pelvis in both the kicking and support limbs as both limbs play a role in achieving a high speed kicking velocity. Due to the strenuous activity of soccer players, both hip ranges of motion may be decreased, thus predisposing the player to injuries. This may also affect the kicking velocity. The effects of sacroiliac joint manipulation on hip range of motion and kicking velocity were investigated. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ipsilateral sacroiliac joint manipulation versus contralateral sacroiliac joint manipulation on bilateral hip range of motion and kicking velocity. Methods There were three groups of twenty soccer players. The ipsilateral sacroiliac joint manipulation group, the contralateral sacroiliac joint manipulation group, and the sham laser intervention group. The case history, physical, regional, lumbar and hip exams were done in the Chiropractic Day Clinic. The hip ranges of motion were measured pre- and post- Chiropractic manipulation in all three groups on both limbs in the Fred Crookes Sports Centre (Durban University of Technology). Hip ranges of motion were measured by the Saunders (The Saunders Group, Chaska, MN) digital inclinometer. The kicking velocity of all players were measured pre- and post- manipulation by a speed sport radar gun (Bushnell Speedster Speed Gun; Bushnell Inc, Lenexa, KS). This was a purposive, investigational study trial where the data was reduced and analysed with the help of a statistician, using the statistical software SPSS version 20.0.The statistical aspect of the research encompassed the following: descriptive statistics used Fischer values, Eta tests, frequency, cross-tabulation tables and various types of graphs (bar charts, scatter graphs etc.); Inferential statistics used Pearson’s and/or Spearman’s correlations at a significance level of 0.05; testing of hypotheses used chi-square tests for nominal data and ordinal data at a level of significance of 0.05. Results The ipsilateral group showed statistically significant results for the right hip in flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation, as well as for extension, internal rotation and external rotation in the left hip. The contralateral group showed statistically significant results for the right hip in extension, internal rotation and external rotation, as well as for extension and internal rotation in the left hip. There was a statistically significant improvement in the kicking velocity of the ipsilateral and contralateral group after treatment. There was a strong association between the perception changes to the actual kicking velocity in the soccer players. There was a correlation between the change in hip range of motion and change in kicking velocity, however statistically it was not significant. Conclusion The manipulation of ipsilateral or contralateral sacroiliac joint has an effect on the right and left hip range of motion
Analyzing the Magnitude of Interlimb Asymmetries in Young Female Soccer Players: A Preliminary Study
