Acute efects of neural mobilization and infrared on the mechanics of the median nerve Monara KedMa nunes 1)* , Gabrielly Fontenele dos santos 1) , diandra Caroline Martins e silva 1) , ana Cláudia Mota de Freitas 1) , isadora Ferreira Henriques 2) , Peterson MarCo andrade 3) , dionis de Castro MaCHado 1, 4) , silMar teixeira 5) , MarCo orsini neves 6) , Gildário dias 7) , Fernando silva-Júnior 1, 5, 7) , viCtor HuGo bastos 1, 4) 1) Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory (LAMCEF/UFPI), Federal University of Piauí: Av. São Sebastião, 2819, Bloco 16, sala 6 −Parnaíba-PI, CEP: 64202-020, Brazil 2) Masters Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Brail 3) Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Governador Valadares Campus, Brazil 4) Brain Mapping and Sensorial Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Brazil 5) Brain Mapping and Plasticity Laboratory (LAMPLACE/UFPI), Federal University of Piauí, Brazil 6) Masters Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, University Center Augusto Mota, Brazil 7) Laboratory of Neurophysics (LANF/UFPI), Federal University of Piauí, Brazil Abstract. [Purpose] This study analyzed the acute effects of infrared and neural mobilization on the median nerve on the range of elbow extension of the dominant limb. [Subjects and Methods] Forty participants from uni- versity, neurologically asymptomatic, 12 males and 28 females (22.8 ± 1.9 years), were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (control) rested for 25 minutes in the supine position; Group 2 received the specifc neural mobi- lization for the median nerve; Group 3 received an application of infrared for 15 minutes on the forearm; Group 4 received the same application of infrared followed by neural mobilization. The goniometric parameters of elbow extension were evaluated after the intervention. [Results] Signifcant differences of extension value were observed between Group 1 and Group 3 (15.75 degrees), and between Group 1 and Group 4 (14.60 degrees), and the average higher in Group 3 (26.35 degrees). [Conclusion] This research provides new experimental evidence that NM in rela- tion to superfcial heat produces an immediate effect on elbow range of motion versus NM isolated. Key words: Range of motion, Median nerve, Infrared (This article was submitted Dec. 9, 2015, and was accepted Feb. 22, 2016) INTRODUCTION Functionality depends on tangible aspects as well as personal and environmental factors. One of its components is human movement which needs undamaged body structures for its proper functioning 1) . During daily activities, the human body ex- periences mechanical stresses that are distributed in order to prevent injuries and dysfunction. This force transfer is partially a consequence of the structure of the nervous system 2, 3) , and it can be evaluated through neurodynamic tests that analyze, based on anatomy, the mobility of specifc nerves for being designed in a controlled position of the member 4, 5) . Nervous system movement disabilities or / and elasticity may compromise the homeostasis of neurodynamics and result in Adverse Neural Tension (ANT), a term used to explain how pathology affects the normal movement and biomechanics of the nervous system and its surrounding tissues 6) . Techniques that restore nerve mobility that has restricted longitudinal movement are often called neural mobilization J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 28: 1720–1723, 2016 *Corresponding author. Monara Kedma Nunes (E-mail: monarakedma@hotmail.com) ©2016 The Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) License <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/>. Original Article