The Role of the Rate of Force Application in Responses to Spinal Manipulation Therapy

Participants will lie down during the 45-minute experimental session. Vertebral displacements (cm) and muscle response amplitude (RMS value) will be recorded through kinematic markers (on T6, T7 and T8 spinous processes) and surface electromyography electrodes (on the left and right erector spinae at T6 and T8 vertebra level). Each SMT (4 per participant) will be delivered at T7 transverse processes by an apparatus. Responses during the thrust phase (duration equal to twice the time to peak force) and after the thrust (1,5s duration) will be compared between SMTs.

An apparatus using a servo-controlled linear actuator motor (Linear Motor Series P01-48x360, LinMot Inc., Switzerland) will be used to deliver spinal manipulations.