Immediate effects of acupuncture on strength performance: a randomized, controlled crossover trial

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neuromuscular Physiology
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Acupuncture is a traditional therapy with potential applications in sports medicine.
• Its efficacy on immediate strength performance requires rigorous investigation.
• Understanding neuromuscular responses to acupuncture is crucial for athletic and rehabilitation contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the immediate effects of acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and placebo laser acupuncture on athletic strength performance.
• To evaluate the impact of these interventions on isometric quadriceps force and jump performance.
• To assess changes in muscular endurance using electromyography.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, crossover study involving 33 recreational athletes.
• Interventions included acupuncture, sham acupuncture (non-acupuncture points), and placebo laser acupuncture.
• Strength was measured via maximal isometric voluntary force (MIVF) and drop jumps; muscular endurance via mean power frequency (MPF) from EMG.

Main Results:

• Acupuncture significantly increased MIVF compared to sham laser acupuncture (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences were found between acupuncture and sham acupuncture for MIVF.
• No significant treatment effects were observed for drop jump height or MPF.

Conclusions:

• A single acupuncture session effectively enhances isometric quadriceps strength in recreational athletes.
• These findings suggest potential benefits for athletic performance enhancement.
• The results may also inform rehabilitation strategies for restoring neuromuscular function.