A randomized control trial to determine the effectiveness and physiological effects of spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization compared to each other and a sham condition in patients with chronic low back pain: Study protocol for The RELIEF Study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care. Manipulative therapies are a common treatment for LBP. Few studies have compared the effectiveness of different types of manipulative therapies.

Vastus lateralis fascicle length changes during stair ascent and descent.

Study Design: Experimental descriptive laboratory study.

Objectives: To describe the change in fascicle length of the human vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during the stance phase of stair ascent and descent.

Background: Muscle fascicle length changes during lower limb functional activities, such as walking and jumping, do not always coincide with joint angle changes.