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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
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Published on: January 5, 2024
Effects of auriculotherapy on muscle fatigue: A randomized crossover trial
Andréia Maria Silva Vilela Terra1, Paulo Duarte Guia Santos2, Miguel Gomes2
1Neuromuscular Research Lab, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Lisbon University, 1499-002, Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, Portugal; Human Performance Research Laboratory, Alfenas Federal University, 37133-840, Santa Clara, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
Objective:
This study aimed investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity (EMG).
Methods:
Design: Randomized Crossover Trial. The sample consisted of 18 males' volunteers who exercised at least twice a week.
The Sample Was Randomly Assigned To Two Groups:
Placebo Group (n = 9) and Treated Group (n = 9), and after seven days, the groups were crossed. The data analysis included 18 participants in each group.
Main Outcome Measure:
The muscle fatigue index, force production rate, and EMG of the quadriceps were used for evaluation. The evaluation moments included baseline pre-fatigue, baseline post-fatigue, 48 h post-intervention pre-fatigue, and 48 h post-intervention post-fatigue. Mixed two-way test ANOVA was used to compare times and groups.
Results:
The fatigue index for peak torque and work showed no significant effect on time, groups, or interaction (p > 0.05). However, for isometric torque, force production rate, and EMG median frequency and average, the results indicate a positive change in values over time (p < 0.05) (with little practical relevance), with no differences observed between the groups or interaction (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In conclusion, auriculotherapy had no effect on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity.
