The effects of manual therapy on pain and ankle motion in collegiate athletes

INTERVENTION: As this is a crossover trial, all 21 participants will receive massage therapy, joint mobilization and the control. Each intervention will be administered once on different days with a washout period of 24 hours. Massage therapy: The massage will be perform in the plantar flexors of the limb with higher value on the VAS, from distal to proximal during five minutes on the following order: 30 seconds of superficial effleurage, 2 minutes of deep effleurage, 2 minutes of petrissage and 30 seconds of superficial effleurage. Joint mobilization: The talocrural joint mobilization will be perform during 4 minutes in the limb with higher value on the VAS, and it will consist of 4 sets of 30 seconds each, with an interval of 30 seconds between them. We will perform passive rhythmical oscillating movements, in which the convex articulating surface slide occurs in the opposite direction of the angular movement of the bone. Control: Participants remained relaxed on an examination table during seven minutes E02.190.599 E02.190.599.750.750 CONDITION: Myalgia PRIMARY OUTCOME: Ankle range of motion ‐ Will increase after massage therapy and joint mobilization. We will analyze it through the Lunge Test and a change of at least 1,9 centimetres from baseline will be considered as a minimal clinically important difference. Pain ‐ Will be reduced after massage therapy. We will analyze it through the Analog Visual Scale (VAS) and a change of at least 2 millimeters from baseline will be considered as a minimal clinically important difference. ; ; SECONDARY OUTCOME: No secondary outcomes are expected. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Players of beach volleyball, volleyball, basketball, futsal, handball or soccer competing as athletes for the Federal University of Santa Catarina that refer pain of at least 2 mm on the VAS scale in the plantar flexors region of one limb.