Research Summary: Effect of Chiropractic treatment on hip extension ability and running velocity among young male running athletes [Sandell J. (2008)]

This article can be found at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682941/pdf/main.pdf

This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental pilot study. During this study 17 healthy, young (17-20yr old) male, middle distance (800-1500m) runners were recruited from local athletic associations. There were randomised into two groups; one group received chiropractic treatment (for a 3-week period) and the other was a control group (no treatment provided).

The treatment group received one treatment per week for 3 weeks, consisting of HVLA manipulation (High Velocity, Low Amplitude manipulation; AKA a Chiropractic adjustment) mainly to the sacroiliac joints and hip joint, but also to other areas deemed by the treating clinician to have a loss of motion.

Pre and post-trial measurements were recorded by a blinded chiropractor (chiropractor who didn't know which group the participant was in) of hip extension, and running speed/acceleration over a 30m distance. Results showed a clinically significant increase in hip extension in the treatment group over the control group. They also showed a slight increase in running velocity of the treatment group, however the difference between the groups was not deemed clinically significant. The researchers concluded that the results of the study implied that chiropractic treatment can enhance hip extension in individuals with hip extension restrictions.

This appears to be a well-executed study; however it is only a pilot study, which means they only used low number of participants (n=17). This makes it is difficult to draw solid conclusions from this particular study but does provide grounds for more in rigorous studies in the future.


 Sandell J., Palmgren P., Bjomdahl L. "Effect of chiropractic treatment on hip extension ability and running velocity among young male running athletes". Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (2008); 7, 39-47. accessed 26/02/15 from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682941/pdf/main.pdf