Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

M.Tech. / Purpose: To determine the effect of Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) compared to that of fascial treatment on Superficial back line (SBL) fascial line restrictions. It has been suggested that a fascial line restriction can cause a decrease in performance and lead to over – use injuries. Methods: A randomised study design with thirty asymptomatic male participants, which were moderate to highly active as indicated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were divided into two equal groups, group A (n=15) received Chiropractic SMT of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, group B (n=15) were treated with Direct Release Myofascial Technique to the restricted SBL. The study design consisted of seven consultations, with intervention being applied at each consultation. Objective data was obtained by the Bunkie test and Range of Motion testing which determined the participant‟s level of endurance and fascial line restriction. Objective data was obtained before and after the first intervention, after intervention on the fourth consultation and on the seventh consultation, which did not include intervention. The short term effect was represented by comparing the before values of consultation one (baseline) to consultation seven. The immediate effect of intervention was represented by the before versus the after measurements of consultations. Results: The objective results showed that there was a short term and immediate improvement in Lumbar range of motion for both groups and a short term and immediate improvement in Bunkie test times of both groups, except for the immediate effect of group B, which decreased the Bunkie test time. With the Bunkie test group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 2.4 seconds (11.3%) on the right and 2.3 seconds (4.9%) on the left. With the Bunkie test group A showed a short term mean improvement of 9 seconds (41.8%) on the right and 10.1 seconds (44.1%) on the left. Group B showed no immediate mean improvement for the Bunkie test and a short term mean improvement of 3.3 seconds (19%) on the right and 2 seconds (10.9%) on the left.

This thesis deals with sporting massage and its effects to the human body. There are used some of diagnostic methods verifies the effects of sporting back massage on a muscular function, a skin appearance, physiological functions of the organism and a subjective feeling of a relaxation. For example, there are methods such as a static and a dynamic examination of a spine or an oximeter and a caliper measurements compared to subjective feelings of relaxation in the back area. The methods were applied before and after the experiment, which was based on the series of sporting back massages. The results of the research are compared with other studies and speak in favor for the sporting massage as an effective means of regenerating for the human body as expected on the beginning of the research. The thesis can be used as an available information source for students of sports disciplines and the physically active public, and it can motivate them to include sporting massage into an everyday regeneration processes.