Name and Surname: prof. Nejc Šarabon, PhD
Links: ARIS 21495, LINKEDIN
E-mail: nejc.sarabon@fvz.upr.si
Research facility (research activity location)
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
Research field according to ARIS classification
Science: Social sciences
Field: Sport
Subfield: Kinesiology – medical aspect (orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation,..)
Summary of research topic and field
Mentoring of a young researcher under the Public Call for Young Researchers at the University of Primorska in 2024.
More information on the website: https://www.upr.si/en/about-university/open-calls–tenders/call-for-employment/5291-
Topic: RESEARCH INTO MANUAL THERAPY TECHNICS` EFFECTS ON STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF THE MOVEMENT SYSTEM
The topic of the doctoral dissertation will be the evaluation of the effectiveness of various manual techniques (manual therapy, massage, myofascial release, etc.) in different contexts (prevention, acute responses, and effectiveness in treating various musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies). The candidate will conduct a series of studies on the acute effects of different manual techniques on mechanical (muscle and tendon stiffness), morphological (fascicle length), and neuromuscular (stretch tolerance, muscle performance) properties. The studies will be in the form of experiments with a crossover design and will typically involve 20 to 30 subjects, who will make 2-3 visits. Based on the conducted research and an in-depth literature review, the final step will be the execution of a randomized controlled trial on individuals with selected musculoskeletal pathology/injury. The study is expected to include at least three groups (two manual techniques and a control group) and will last between 6 and 12 weeks. The exact content of the final study will be precisely determined based on previous research. In the final research, key variables will include pain assessment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), measurement of the range of motion in the affected joint, and evaluation of functional ability through standardized tests, such as walking tests, the Stand Up and Go test, and further tests of local muscle endurance. Additionally, we will consider subjective feedback from subjects on the improvement of life quality and symptom reduction after using manual techniques. These variables will provide a comprehensive insight into the effectiveness of selected manual techniques in managing musculoskeletal pathologies.
