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Acute effects of functional dry needling on skeletal muscle function
Austin C Mead1, Mark L McGlynn1, Dustin R Slivka1
1University of Nebraska at Omaha, School of Health and Kinesiology, United States.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
|May 16, 2021
Summary
Functional dry needling (FDN) did not acutely improve muscle strength or endurance in healthy adults. This study suggests FDN is safe for healthy populations, but does not enhance immediate muscle performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Physiology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Functional dry needling (FDN) is a common treatment for soft tissue pain.
- While chronic exercise benefits are known, acute physiological effects of FDN on muscle function remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effects of FDN on muscle strength and endurance.
- To assess physiological responses to acute FDN in healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy subjects underwent bilateral testing of vastus lateralis muscle strength, endurance, electrical activity, and oxygenation.
- FDN was applied to one leg, with the contralateral leg serving as a control.
Main Results:
- Limited statistically significant acute effects (p < 0.05) of FDN on muscle function were observed.
- No significant improvements in isometric strength or isokinetic fatigue index were found.
Conclusions:
- Acute functional dry needling does not appear to enhance muscle performance in healthy young adults.
- FDN was found to be safe, with no adverse effects noted in this population.
- Clinicians should consider specific patient populations and desired outcomes when applying FDN.
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