Effect of Activator-Assisted Talocrural Manipulation on Performance in Elite Volleyball Players

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Balance; Sports; Postural Balance; Range of Motion; Joint Manipulation; Volleyball; Motor Activity; Jumping Performance; Physical Therapy Modalities; Athletic Performance

Treatments: Other: Sham Stroking; Other: Activator Manipulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07072260

2025/047

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the acute effects of activator-assisted talocrural joint manipulation on joint range of motion, dynamic balance, vertical and horizontal jump performance, and weight transfer parameters in elite male volleyball players aged 18-25. The study compares a manipulation group with a sham control group and assesses performance metrics before and after the intervention.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 15 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Elite male volleyball players aged 15-25 years
• Minimum of 3 years of professional volleyball training experience
• Active member of a team and club

Exclusion criteria

• Not actively participating in training or matches
• History of acute musculoskeletal pathology or surgery in the lower extremities

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Activator-Assisted Talocrural Manipulation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group receive a single session of activator-assisted manipulation using the Activator Adjustment Instrument (AAI) to the talocrural (ankle) joint. Six impulses (three anterior and three posterior) are applied with the ankle in a neutral position.

Treatment:

Other: Activator Manipulation

Sham Soft Tissue Stroking

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group receive a sham intervention consisting of light soft tissue stroking around the talocrural joint without joint manipulation. The application mimics the duration and setup of the experimental group but does not include any mechanical stimulus.

Treatment:

Other: Sham Stroking