"Recovery Techniques on Pain, Force and Muscle Oxygenation in Pro Athletes: A Crossover Trial"

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of different passive post-effort recovery techniques on professional athletes. The main questions it aims to answer are: -Do passive recovery modalities significantly improve muscle oxygenation and tissue temperature immediately after high-intensity effort? Which specific technique is most effective in reducing perceived pain (pressure pain threshold) and restoring muscle strength? Researchers will compare six different therapeutic interventions-TECAR therapy, massage, intermittent negative pressure (cupping), shockwave therapy, percussion guns, and pressotherapy-to see which provides the superior immediate physiological and functional recovery effect. Participants will: Perform a high-intensity physical effort designed to induce peripheral fatigue.Be randomly assigned to receive one of the six recovery protocols.Undergo objective measurements immediately after the intervention, including muscle oxygen saturation (NIRS), tissue thermography, algometry, and dynamometry.

This project consists of a randomized, double-blind (tester and statistician), crossover clinical trial. The study aims to address the critical need for evidence-based recovery strategies in high-demand sports like basketball, where muscle overload is a primary risk factor for injuries.The investigation will focus on the immediate effects of six widely used physiotherapy modalities: TECAR Therapy: Used to improve perfusion and modulate inflammation through deep tissue heating. Percussive Massage (Massage Guns): Applied to reduce stiffness and enhance explosive force through mechanical vibration. Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): Evaluated for its capacity to improve muscular microcirculation and accelerate tissue regeneration. Pressotherapy (External Pneumatic Compression): Targeting the reduction of pain and the sensation of heaviness in the lower limbs. Intermittent Negative Pressure (Cupping): Investigated for its role in improving blood flow and pain modulation Sports Massage: The traditional manual intervention for reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and improving flexibility. Physiological monitoring will be conducted using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) via Moxy Monitors to measure muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and total hemoglobin, providing direct data on muscle oxidative metabolism. Functional outcomes will be assessed through pressure pain thresholds (algometry) and isometric strength (dynamometry) to determine the effectiveness of each technique in restoring neuromuscular homeostasis.The study will be conducted at the Sierra Varona Physiotherapy Clinic (Toledo) between february and march 2026.