NCT03317041

Capacitive-resistive Electric Transfer Therapy for Recovery From Running Fatigue

Effects of a Capacitive-resistive Electric Transfer Therapy Exposure on Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters in Recreational Runners: a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 14 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-03-01
• Primary completion: 2016-07-31
• Completion: 2016-09-28
• First posted: 2017-10-23
• Last updated: 2017-10-23