Results: Of the 581 potential studies, 7 clinical trials were selected. Most studies had adequate quality (≥6/11) when assessed by the PEDro scale. None of those studies assessed performance at an event or competition. Four studies revealed improvement in a sports performance test after SMT. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of the wide differences in methodologies, design, and outcomes measured. Spinal manipulative therapy influences a wide range of neurophysiological parameters that could be associated with sports performance. Of the 3 studies where SMT did not improve test performance, 2 used SMT not for therapeutic correction of a dysfunctional vertebral joint but to an arbitrary previously set joint.
Conclusions: Although 4 of 7 studies showed that SMT improved sports performance tests, the evidence is still weak to support its use. Spinal manipulative therapy may be a promising approach for performance enhancement that should be investigated with more consistent methodologic designs.
Author keywords: Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Athletic Performance; Sports; Athletes; Spine
Author affiliations: Federal University of Bahia. Faculty of Medicine. Graduate Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine
(Brazil / Salvador); University of Lisbon. Human Motricity Faculty (Portugal / Lisbon); Federal University of ABC. Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition (Brazil / São Paulo)
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