Evaluation of Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Eccentric Exercise and Recovery Enhancement Using Capacitive-Resistive...

Background: Although Capacitive-Resistive Electric Transfer (TECAR) and vibration therapy (VT) are increasingly used in sports recovery, their effects on muscle oxygenation remain unclear. Objectives: This study compared the short-term influence of TECAR and VT on muscle oxygenation following eccentric exercise in young, active adults. We hypothesized that both interventions would support early metabolic recovery, as reflected by changes in muscle oxygenation, and potentially reduce the risk of musculoskeletal overuse. Methods: Forty-one young, recreationally active adults (age: 19 ± 2 years; height: 168 ± 9 cm; body mass: 63 ± 13 kg) were randomized into two groups: TECAR therapy and VT. Muscle oxygenation was assessed at baseline, post-exercise, and post-intervention using the arterial occlusion method with a MOXY muscle oxygenation monitor (Fortiori Design LLC, USA). The primary variables were mVO₂ (muscle oxygen consumption), ΔSmO₂ (change in oxygen saturation during occlusion), and ΔtHb (change in hemoglobin level during occlusion). Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Eccentric exercise significantly reduced mVO₂ in both groups (VT: -0.18 ± 0.40 to -1.62 ± 0.70; TECAR: -0.12 ± 0.40 to -1.24 ± 0.70), indicating decreased metabolic demand. Following recovery, mVO₂ increased in both groups (VT: -0.86 ± 0.50; TECAR: -0.35 ± 0.40), with no significant between-group differences (p > 0.05). ΔSmO₂ also decreased after exercise (VT: -0.7 ± 0.4 to -3.2 ± 0.9; TECAR: -0.9 ± 0.6 to -3.45 ± 0.7). After recovery, ΔSmO₂ partially returned to baseline (VT: -2.6 ± 0.8; TECAR: -1.35 ± 0.4), with no significant between-group differences. ΔtHb increased following exercise in both groups (VT: 0.03 ± 0.04 to 0.13 ± 0.09; TECAR: 0.03 ± 0.04 to 0.15 ± 0.07) and decreased after recovery to similar levels (VT: -0.05 ± 0.05; TECAR: -0.06 ± 0.04; p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both TECAR and VT were associated with improved muscle oxygenation during early recovery after eccentric exercise, as reflected by increases in mVO₂ and comparable ΔtHb responses. Although ΔSmO₂ tended to decrease more after VT, this difference was not statistically significant and should be interpreted cautiously. Overall, both modalities appear to be effective recovery-supporting strategies, while further controlled studies are needed to clarify their role in different athletic populations and exercise contexts.