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Abstract

[Objective] Acupuncture is a widely used technique for treating pain and osteoarthritis, and is more widely used among athletes than general population. Recently the press tack needle acupuncture method has become more popular. However, information regarding press tack needle acupuncture remains scarce. Muscle fatigue is defined as a reduction in the instantaneous muscle force generation, including a decrease in peak muscle force, a reduction in the maximum velocity of muscle contraction, or a reduction in the maximal capacity to generate power output. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of stimulation by press tack needle acupuncture on the decrease in instantaneous muscle force generation due to muscle fatigue.
[Materials and Methods] We randomly assigned 32 healthy young adult men (mean age, 24.32 ± 2.47 years) to an acupuncture group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). Both groups then underwent exhaustive exercise, comprising 30 series of isometric maximum voluntary contractions. The outcome measurements included isometric maximum voluntary knee extensor muscle force, rate of force development, force-time integral and muscle activity (integrated electromyogram and mean power frequency) values. All data were recorded before and after exhaustive exercise.
[Results] Based on result of two-way ANOVA the main effect of intervention and the main effect of intervention × time interaction were found to be significant in the peak muscle force, rate of force development, force-time integral and integrated electromyogram.
[Conclusion] It was suggested that press tack needle acupuncture may prevent exercise-induced muscle fatigue.