The immediate effects of spinal mobilization on upper trapezius muscle stiffness, tone and elasticity in volleyball players

The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of spinal mobilization on upper trapezius muscle stiffness, tone and elasticity in female adolescent volleyball players. 32 female athletes from Eczacıbaşı Sports Club adolescent volleyball team were included in the study. Players were randomly divided into two groups as Control Group (CG) (n = 16) and Experimental Group (EG) (n = 16). The viscoelastic properties (stiffness, tone, elasticity, creep and relaxation) of the right and left trapezius muscles of the volleyball players in both groups were measured with the MyotonPro device just before and after the applications. Athletes in the control group only performed eccentric motor control exercise as 10 repetitions and 3 sets separated by a 2-minute rest. The experimental group, besides the eccentric exercise also received spinal mobilization to the C3-C4 level. Second measurements were taken immediately after treatments. The difference between the groups and before and after spinal mobilization application were analyzed. According to the main results of this study, spinal mobilization application and eccentric motor control exercise did not have a significant effect on the viscoelastic properties of the upper trapezius muscle on stiffness, tone and elasticity values (p>0.05). Our findings showed a significant improvement in creep and relaxation values from the viscoelastic properties of the upper trapezius muscle in the experimental group in which spinal mobilization was applied (p <0.05). Therefore, we concluded that spinal mobilization may be applied to improve creep and relaxation values. Keywords: spinal mobilization, volleyball player, MyotonPro device, viscoelastic properties, eccentric motor control exercise