The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on anaerobic performance and lactate clearance in male athletes: a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, crossover study

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on anaerobic performance and lactate clearance in male athletes. METHODS This study was a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled and crossover trial. Fourteen male athletes were volunteered to participate this study. All subjects visited to laboratory 3 times in total: familiarization session, test session 1, and test session 2, respectively. At the beginning of the study, the subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: In sessions 1 and 2, (a) 30-minute OMT or sham treatment before Wingate anaerobic cycling test (WAnT), (b) 30-second WAnT test, and (c) 10-minute OMT or sham therapy between 5th and 15th minutes of passive rest after WAnT was applied to all subjects, respectively. In both groups blood samples were taken at rest and 5, 15 and 30 minute after the WAnT for the determination of lactate concentrations. RESULTS There was no significant differences in WAnT parameters such as peak power, mean power and fatigue index between the OMT and sham treatment. Blood lactate levels were significantly higher 5, 15 and 30 minute after the WAnT when compared to the rest and were lower 15 and 30 minute after the WAnT when compared to 5 minute after the WAnT in both groups (P < 0.05). In addition, blood lactate concentration was significantly lower in OMT than sham treatment at 15 and 30 minute after the WAnT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that OMT may improve lactate clearance while not affecting anaerobic performance in athletes.