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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06433856

Neuromuscular Responses to Recovery Techniques

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Muscle Soreness Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Myalgia Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

16 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CdL in Fisioterapia

Trieste, 34100, Italy

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Cold Water Immersion

Other

Cold water immersion consists in 12 min standing in 10 °C water

Percussive Massage Therapy

Device

Percussive massage therapy is performed with a massage gun on the thigh muscles for 12 min

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle soreness

    Time frame: Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)

    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

  2. Muscle fatigue

    Time frame: Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)

    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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Isometric muscle strength

    Time frame: Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)

    Isometric knee extension (IKE) and flexion (IKF) strength assessments performed on a treatment bed, with a digital handheld dynamometer

  2. Tensiomyography

    Time frame: Within 10 minutes from exercise cessation (Post-Exercise); Within 10 minutes after the intervention (Post-Intervention); 24 hours from the exercise (Post-24 hours)

    Tensiomyography (TMG) will be performed on anterior and posterior thigh muscles

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Trieste

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
May 30, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 18, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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