Publications
Comparing The Effects of Compression Contrast Therapy and Dry Needling on Muscle Functionality, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Perfusion after Isometric Fatigue in Forearm Muscles of Combat Sports Athletes: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Adrian Kuzdzal 1, Filipe Manue Clemente 2, 3, 4, Adam Kawczynski 2, Ireneusz Ryszkiel 5, Robert Trybulski 6, 7
Affiliations:
- Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Biomechanics and Sport Engineering, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Poland
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politecnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de NunAlvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Medical University of Silesia, College of Medical Sciences, Katowice Poland
- Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy, Katowice, Poland
- Provita Zory Medical Center, Zory, Poland
Journal: Journal of Sports Science & Medicine - July 2024, Volume 23, Pages 548-558 (DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2024.548)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Treatment evaluation
- Fatigue / Overtraining
- Warm-up / Recovery
The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of compression contrast therapy (CT) and dry needling therapy (DN) on muscle tension (MT), muscle strength (Fmax), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and perfusion (PU) following fatigue of forearm muscles (e.g., flexor carpi radialis) in combat sports athletes.
A single-blind randomized controlled trial was employed. Participants first underwent muscle fatigue induction, which involved sustaining an isometric handgrip at 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction in 5-second cycles. This was followed by exposure to one of the regenerative therapies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT/DN (n = 15), CT/ShDN (n = 15), and ShCT/DN (n = 15). The sham condition (Sh) involved a simulated version of the technique. Measurements were taken at four time points: (i) at rest; (ii) immediately after exercise that led to a state of fatigue; (iii) 5 minutes after therapy (PostTh5min); and (iv) 24 hours after therapy (PostTh24h). Each participant was exposed to one experimental condition and one control condition, thereby undergoing evaluation in two sessions.
Significant differences between groups were found in MT during the PostTh5min (p = 0.005), as well as in PU during the PostTh5min (p < 0.001) and PU during the PostTh24h (p < 0.001). All groups showed significant improvements at 5 minutes post-therapy compared to immediately post-muscle fatigue.
As conclusions, CT/DN seems to be significantly better for enhancing MT and PU after 5 minutes of muscle fatigue induction. Using either CT, DN, or both combined is recommended to enhance the recovery of muscle functionality and properties, favoring recovery and potentially speeding up performance enhancement.
Keywords: martial arts, exercise recovery, athletic performance, muscle strength, physical therapy modalities, therapeutics
Our experimental study found that both CT and DN, whether used together or individually, similarly improved MT, Fmax, and PU in martial arts athletes after inducing muscle fatigue. Compared to the sham intervention, none were significantly better regarding PPT. Generally, the three regenerative approaches (combined or isolated) produced similar improvements in outcomes from 5 minutes after muscle fatigue induction up to 24 hours. Comparisons between strategies revealed that all had similar effects on PPT and Fmax (whether techniques were combined or isolated). However, regarding MT and PU, the combined approach (CT/DN) showed the most significant improvements 5 minutes after exercise. Practitioners and coaches are recommended to use regenerative techniques, either CT or DN, combined or not, to mitigate the impact of exercise-induced fatigue, enhance recovery, and restore muscle functionality and properties.