Capacitive-resistive Electric Transfer Therapy for Recovery From Running Fatigue

NCT ID: NCT03317041

Last Updated: 2017-10-23

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 14 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-03-01
• Study Completion Date: 2016-09-28

Brief Summary

Reducing fatigue and improving the recovery capabilities of runners has gained more interest over the last years. Recently, capacitive-resistive electric transfer (Tecar) therapy is commonly used by physical therapists to help athletes recover from muscle fatigue. However, empiric evidence supporting the benefits of Tecar to recovery is lacking. This study investigated the effects of a Tecar treatment performed shortly after an exhausting training session on both physiological and biomechanical parameters of running.

Detailed Description

In this randomized controlled crossover trial all subjects will perform two test protocols separated by 2 weeks. Each protocol will comprise one exhausting training session (20-min warm-up consisted of 15-min of continuous self-paced running followed by 5-min of fast-finish progression runs increasing speeds (from approximately 60% to 80% of maximal heart rate, participant controlled), 10 x 500 m sprints at 90% of maximal heart rate with a 2-min rest period between bouts and a recovery phase consisting of 10-min of slow jogging). Twenty-four hours after this exhausting training, subjects will perform an incremental running test on a treadmill (Pre-intervention test) where subjects will start at 10 km/h for 6 min after which speed will be increased by 2 km/h every 6 min until a 16 km/h trial is completed. One hour after this test, in one protocol subjects will receive Tecar therapy (Tecar treatment group); in the other group (Control group) participants will rest passively in a sitting position for 30-min period. To evaluate the relevance of the changes induced by Tecar therapy/passive recovery, subjects will repeat the treadmill test 48 hours after the first test in both groups (72 hours after the exhaustive training).

Conditions

Running; Fatigue

Keywords

Capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy; Radiofrequency therapy; Recovery intervention; Fatigue; Running

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Tecar treatment group

The capacitive-resistive electric transfer (Tecar) therapy treatment group will receive 45 minutes of Tecar therapy treatment.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Capacitive-resistive electric transfer (Tecar) therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

The Tecar treatment group will receive 45 minutes of Tecar therapy treatment. Subjects will lay down with the face down and two metallic plaques situated under each quadriceps muscle all over all the treatment. The treatment will start with the automatic capacitive energy transfer for 10-min where the capacitive plaque is situated on the sole of each foot with an elastic band. After that, the capacitive plaque will be pulled out. Then, the resistive electrode will be moved longitudinally through different muscles with massage lotion during 15-min per each lower extremity. The treatment will conclude with the automatic capacitive energy transfer for 10-min and the capacitive plaque situated on the sole of each foot with an elastic band.

Control group

Participants will test passively in a sitting position for 30-min period

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Capacitive-resistive electric transfer (Tecar) therapy

The Tecar treatment group will receive 45 minutes of Tecar therapy treatment. Subjects will lay down with the face down and two metallic plaques situated under each quadriceps muscle all over all the treatment. The treatment will start with the automatic capacitive energy transfer for 10-min where the capacitive plaque is situated on the sole of each foot with an elastic band. After that, the capacitive plaque will be pulled out. Then, the resistive electrode will be moved longitudinally through different muscles with massage lotion during 15-min per each lower extremity. The treatment will conclude with the automatic capacitive energy transfer for 10-min and the capacitive plaque situated on the sole of each foot with an elastic band.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Recreationally active (current participation in races and a 10-km race time <34.5-min)

Exclusion Criteria

• Suffered from any injury within the preceding 4 months.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona

PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

313-2015

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id