Neuromuscular Responses to Recovery Techniques

Muscle Soreness Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effects of Cold Water Immersion and Percussive Gun Massage on Recovery Measures in Soccer Players

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06433856
• Other study ID #: Fisioterapia1705
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: July 31, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: June 2024
• Source: University of Trieste
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Cold water immersion (CWI) and percussive massage therapy (PMT) are commonly used re-covery techniques in team sports. In particular, despite its wide use, PMT has been scarcely investigated in the literature, especially regarding neuromuscular measures and in comparison with other techniques. This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute and short-term ef-fects (24 h) of CWI and PMT on muscle strength, contractile properties, and soreness after exercise. A randomized crossover study will be performed on sixteen male soccer players (22 y, 20-27) who participate in three experimental sessions involving high-intensity training and 12-min recovery including CWI (10 °C water), bilateral PMT on the anterior and posterior thigh, or passive resting. Outcomes will be assessed immediately after the exercise protocol, after the recovery intervention, and at 24 h. Isometric knee extension (IKE) and flexion (IKF), and tensiomyography (TMG) will be assessed.Muscle soreness and fatigue will be scored from 0 to 10.

Description:

Participants will be invited to participate to a cross-over randomized trial, consisting in 3 experimental sessions at 7 days of distance one from another. During each experimental session, participants will be asked to train for about 45 min at a high-intensity protocol (High-Intensity Intermittent Running, plyometric jumps and isometric chair position). After the exercise, participants will be assessed for neuromuscular function (isometric strength and tensiomyography) as well as perceived soreness and fatigue. Then, in a randomized order, participants will receive three different recovery interventions: cold water immersion, percussive massage, or a passive control condition. After the recovery intervention, outcomes are assessed again, as well as at 24 h. Isometric strength is assessed with a dynamometer during knee extension and knee flexion. Tensiomyography is performed on the thigh muscles, and time to contraction and radial displacement are considered as outcomes. Soreness and fatigue are rated by the participant from 0 to 10.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 16
• Est. completion date: July 31, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: June 30, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 16 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• being healthy
• training in soccer for more than 3 years and with a training frequency > 2 times/week

Exclusion Criteria:

• reported time-loss injuries
• using analgesics or other therapies affecting muscle function or pain

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Muscle Soreness
• Myalgia

Intervention

Other:
• Cold Water Immersion
Cold water immersion consists in 12 min standing in 10 °C water

Device:
• Percussive Massage Therapy
Percussive massage therapy is performed with a massage gun on the thigh muscles for 12 min

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Italy	CdL in Fisioterapia	Trieste

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Trieste

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Italy, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Muscle soreness	Subjective evalutation of muscle soreness from 0 to 10 with a numeric rating scale (NRS), where 0 is no soreness at all, and 10 is unbearable soreness	Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)
Primary	Muscle fatigue	Subjective evaluation of muscle fatigue from 0 to 10 with a numeric rating scale (NRS), where 0 is no fatigue at all, and 10 is unbearable fatigue	Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)
Secondary	Isometric muscle strength	Isometric knee extension (IKE) and flexion (IKF) strength assessments performed on a treatment bed, with a digital handheld dynamometer	Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)
Secondary	Tensiomyography	Tensiomyography (TMG) will be performed on anterior and posterior thigh muscles	Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)