Interfaculty Department for Scientific Research
Director: Prof. Franco Mauro 

PROTOCOL OF BIOMECHANICAL, POSTURAL AND CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTIONS OF ATHLETES

Studying the muscular tone from a posture point of view is a very interesting subject due to its important clinical and competitive performance implications, specially for rowers, getting strong stress onto the trunk’s muscles.

The functional and postural evaluation lab at the L.U.de.S. Polyclinic, as well as the staff’s scientific and professional expertise, allow studies and researches on posture to reach maximum levels.

The study is designed for a large number of athletes suffering or not suffering from spine pain.

It is also intended for those who repeatedly exploit the trunk’s muscles, exposing the column to constant microtraumas or incorrect movements. This could cause dyskinesias or akinesias in the thoraco-lumbar region.

The function of the osteopathic treatment is to normalize the dys/akinesias so as to immediately improve posture and the column mobility. This subsequently allows the athlete to perform the trunk’s muscles strength at most.

The protocol implies posture tests, such as the Fukuda Test in order to evaluate the muscular tone, the peak and medium strength test by means of an up-to-date equipment called Total Trunk, an eye test (integral part of the functional test) that could identify any spinal column’s asymmetry or lateral deviation (scoliosis or hump)

All these tests before and after the treatment allow to instantly highlight the benefits of the osteopathic treatment.

Let’s consider the extremely important influence of posture in sports repetitiveness and in the repercussion that a wrong movement can have on the spinal column.

Dys/akinesias imply a partial or total reduction of segmental mobility. This brings about a perturbation of the proprioceptive system which is sometimes combined to local or general spine pain symptomatology. Therefore a posture and functional test at a young age is of primary importance in order to analyse a possible improvement and to determine a preventive program in good time.

Dys/akinesias (movement reduction or alteration) in athletes practicing competitive sport causes an early weariness, a reduction of the respiratory volume, muscle stiffness, ROM reduction (Range of Motion), body asymmetry etc. It is therefore important to systematically study the relationship between the treatment and the implication of the muscular tone and joint mobility.

This dysfunction, which is often asymptomatic, implies a perturbation of the proprioceptive system determined by the Fukuda Test and overloaded trunk muscles highlighted by the Total Trunk.
All tested athletes have undergone a significant improvement as far as the on site walk is concerned. It has been noticed that a lot of athletes have undergone an increase in trunk’s muscle strength after the osteopathic treatment.

The functional evaluation:

• Objective test including case history, blood pressure, pulse, eye test highlighting asymmetries, evaluation of the Barré’s handstand, evaluation of sensitivity.
• Posture test by means of the Fukuda Test, rotators test.
• Analysis of the maximal strength of flexor and extensor trunk’s muscles by means of Total Trunk.
• Spirometry
• ECG
• Conconi Test
• Plicometric test

Hereafter you will find a short description of the Fukuda test and the muscular test by means of the Total Trunk. We stay at your complete disposal for any further information and a possible visit to the facility.