Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42321886›Full record

Trial reportChiropractic & manual therapies2026

Effects of lower limb joint manipulation on squat strength and ankle range of motion: a sham-controlled double-blind randomised cross-over trial.

Reneigh Morley-Hart, Barrett Losco, Alasdair R Dempsey, G Gregory Haff, Sasha L Aspinall

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Chiropractic & manual therapies, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Reneigh Morley-HartSchool of Allied Health, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. reneigh.morley-hart@murdoch.edu.au.
Barrett LoscoSchool of Allied Health, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
Alasdair R DempseySchool of Allied Health, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
G Gregory HaffStrength and Power Research Group, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
Sasha L AspinallSchool of Allied Health, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe back squat is a commonly prescribed exercise for developing lower body strength. The ability to squat can be affected by reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM), leading to limited squat depth and dysfunctional compensatory movement patterns.

objectiveTo investigate the effect of high-velocity low-amplitude lower limb manipulations on 1 repetition maximum (1RM) back squat strength, sagittal plane ankle kinematics during a squat, and active DF-ROM in individuals with asymptomatic deficits in DF-ROM.

methodsTwenty-six enrolled; Twenty-four analysed resistance-trained participants with asymptomatic deficits in DF-ROM participated in this double-blind randomised sham-controlled cross-over trial. Interventions involved high-velocity low-amplitude joint manipulations targeting ankle DF-ROM, and a sham which mimicked the manipulations using a mechanical drop mechanism. The primary outcome was a change in back squat 1RM between baseline to post-intervention, with secondary outcomes being maximal ankle DF-ROM during the 1RM squat using 3D motion capture, and change in DF-ROM during the weightbearing lunge test.

resultsThere was no statistically significant difference between interventions for back squat 1RM (p = 0.27). From baseline, the 1RM increased by 4.75 kg (3.6%) following manipulation and 2.75 kg (2.1%) following the sham. There were no statistically significant differences between interventions on maximal DF-ROM during the back squat (p = 0.24) and no statistically significant differences in ankle DF-ROM immediately following either intervention (p = 0.39).

conclusionBased on these results a single session of high-velocity low-amplitude manipulations targeting ankle DF-ROM does not significantly improve 1RM back squat strength compared to sham, and does not influence short-term ankle DF-ROM. Trial registration The study was pre-registered with ANZCTR (ACTRN12622000811707).

Indexed as

Ankle JointLower ExtremityMuscle StrengthMusculoskeletal ManipulationsRange of Motion, ArticularAdultBiomechanical PhenomenaCross-Over StudiesDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleResistance TrainingYoung AdultBack squatDorsiflexionJoint manipulation

Identifiers

PMID42321886
PMCPMC13488007

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.