Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 60
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Pain Pressure Threshold
研究概览
简要总结
This randomised single-blind trial will evaluate the immediate effect of a single session of dry needling versus sham needling on calf muscle myofascial trigger points among amateur football players aged 18-25 years. Primary and secondary outcomes are Pressure Pain Threshold (algometer), Sprint Speed (shuttle run test), and Functional Performance (single-leg hop). Outcomes will be measured immediately pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis will be performed in SPSS version 27 using paired and independent t-tests (p < 0.05).
详细描述
A randomised, single-blind, parallel-group trial recruiting amateur club football players (age 18-25) with active myofascial trigger points in gastrocnemius or soleus. Participants randomised (coin toss) into Group A (Dry Needling) or Group B (Sham Needling). Baseline measures: Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) using handheld algometer, ankle dorsiflexion ROM with goniometer, sprint speed via shuttle run, and single-leg hop distance. Intervention: a single session of dry needling (sterile single-use filiform needles 0.25-0.30 mm; needles retained ~10 minutes with fast-in/fast-out pistoning to elicit local twitch response) or a non-penetrating sham procedure mimicking needling. Post-intervention assessments are performed immediately after the session. Data will be analysed with SPSS v.27; paired t-tests for within-group and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons (p < 0.05).
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Participant)
盲法说明
Participants will be blinded to treatment allocation. The sham procedure mimics the sensation and setup of dry needling without skin penetration to maintain participant blinding, while the treating therapist cannot be blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 25 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Amateur football players aged 18-25 years.
- •Participation in club-level football for at least one year.
- •Presence of active myofascial trigger point in gastrocnemius or soleus confirmed by palpation.
- •Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.
排除标准
- •History of calf muscle tear, fracture, or lower limb surgery.
- •Current use of muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medication.
- •Known bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy.
- •Local infection, skin lesion, or contraindication to dry needling.
- •Neurological or vascular disorders affecting lower limb function.
研究组 & 干预措施
Group A - Dry Needling Group
Participants with active trigger points in the gastrocnemius or soleus will receive dry needling using sterile, single-use filiform needles (0.25-0.30 mm diameter; lengths 30-50 mm chosen per muscle depth). Needles inserted nearly perpendicular (or 45-60° oblique when approaching from side to avoid neurovascular structures) to the skin into identified trigger points using a fast-in/fast-out (pistoning) technique to elicit local twitch responses. Insertion depth typically 1-4 cm. Once local twitch response elicited (or after a maximum of ~5 attempts), the needle will remain in place and needles retained for approximately 10 minutes. Needling will be performed with standard infection-control measures (skin disinfection, gloves, sterile disposal). Single session of ~10-15 minutes.
干预措施: Dry Needling (Procedure)
Group B - Sham Needling Group
Sham needling will use a non-penetrating blunted needle housed in an introducer tube placed against the skin over the trigger point. Tactile and auditory cues mimic real needling (a quick tap), but no skin penetration occurs. Pressure, duration, positioning and therapist contact will match the dry needling group. Single session of equal duration.
干预措施: Sham Needling (Procedure)
结局指标
主要结局
Pain Pressure Threshold
时间窗: Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).
Pressure Pain Threshold will be measured at the identified myofascial trigger point in the gastrocnemius or soleus using a handheld pressure algometer. The participant will indicate the point at which applied pressure first becomes painful. The recorded value (kg/cm²) reflects mechanical pain sensitivity of the trigger point.
Functional Performance
时间窗: Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).
Functional performance will be assessed using Single leg hop test ( distance in centimeters).The Single Leg Hop Test measures lower limb explosive power. Participants will perform three maximal forward hops on one leg. The distance (in centimeters) from the starting line to the heel landing point will be recorded. The average of three trials will be used for analysis. Greater distance indicates improved functional performance.
Sprint Speed
时间窗: Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).
Sprint speed will be accessed by Shuttle run test. The speed and agility of lower limb in calf muscle by time taken to complete a short distance shuttle sprint. It reflects the explosive function of calf muscle which is essential for acceleration and direction change in football. Sprint speed will be assessed using a 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants will run back and forth between two markers placed 20 meters apart as quickly as possible. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest time (in seconds) will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 second. Lower time indicates better sprint performance.
次要结局
- Range of Motion of Ankle Dorsiflexion(Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).)