EFFECTS OF SLIDE CUPPING THERAPY ON RECOVERY AFTER 10KM RUN: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL
Athletes. Recovery of regulatory function. Athletic performance.
Introduction: It is known that in addition to the various benefits, running induces adaptive responses, such as, for example, muscle fatigue that alters strength and power. As an auxiliary resource for muscle recovery after physical activity, sliding cupping therapy has been applied in clinical practice, under the theories that its application influences the microcirculation and the nervous system, however, there is a lack of studies that investigate its effects on athletes. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cupping therapy on pain, perception of fatigue and muscle performance after a 10km run, with the hypothesis that cupping will produce expected changes when unexpected to the other group. Methodology: This is a blinded randomized clinical trial, in which 33 volunteers were randomly allocated into two groups: 15 volunteers in the cupping group (sliding cupping with gentle suction on the quadriceps for 10 minutes) and 18 in the sham group (sliding cupping without suction without quadriceps for 10 minutes). The participants were evaluated before the race, after the intervention, 24h and 48h after the intervention, through isokinetic dynamometry, algometry, and pain and fatigue perception scales and recovery perception scales. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro Wilk and Levene test. To determine the difference between the two groups, the mixed model ANOVA will be used. Bonferroni's post-hoc test will be applied to identify the difference when a significant F-value is found. Statistical significance will be set at 5% and a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: In the analysis between groups, no significant differences were observed for any of the variables, at any time. CONCLUSION: The application of button cupping therapy is not able to improve pain, fatigue and muscle performance after running 10km.