Comparison of Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity between Football Players and Sedentary Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Athletic training improves the cardiovascular, pulmonary and musculoskeletal performance. A number of studies have also suggested an improvement in neural capabilities. Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) helps in learning about various electrophysiological parameters of the nerve such as Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), latency, amplitude, duration, etc. They influence co-ordination and speed of voluntary activity. Aim: To study the Motor Nerve Conduction Velocities (MNCV) of trained athletes and compare their values with untrained individuals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Trissur, Kerala, India, from January 2016 to January 2017. The sample consisted of 60 male subjects who included 30 athletes and 30 non athletes between ages 18 to 25. MNCV, latency, amplitude and duration of median, ulnar, and tibial nerves of both sides of the subjects were measured. These were compared using independent t-test, and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The MNCV in athletes were found to be faster than non athletes. The mean MNCV of left and right median nerves were 61.5±2.60 m/s and 61.45±2.52 m/s in athletes, and 56.48±2.70 m/s and 56.73±2.51 m/s in non athletes respectively. The mean MNCV of the left and right ulnar nerves were 61.28±2.64 m/s and 61.58±3.15 m/s in athletes, and 57.87±3.42 m/s and 58.05±3.94 m/s in non athletes. The mean MNCV of the left and right tibial nerves were 46.34±3.44 m/s and 46.37±3.60 m/s in athletes, and 44.74±3.46 m/s and 44.86±3.58 m/s in non athletes. In both tibial nerves, the proximal and distal amplitude was higher, and the proximal and distal duration was lower in athletes. Conclusion: The results indicated MNCV of athletes were higher which could be beneficial in their sports performance.