The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if vibrational percussion massage (VPM) improves rectus femoris mechanical properties and sports performance after muscle fatigue in physically active adults. It will also examine the immediate effects of VPM on muscle function and recovery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does VPM improve the mechanical properties of the rectus femoris muscle after fatigue? * Does VPM improve knee extensor strength and triple-hop performance after fatigue? Researchers will compare measurements obtained before fatigue, after fatigue, and after a VPM intervention to evaluate the effects of VPM on muscle recovery and sports performance. Participants will: * Perform a fatigue protocol targeting the lower extremity muscles. * Receive a 5-minute VPM intervention after the fatigue protocol. * Complete assessments of rectus femoris mechanical properties using a myotonemeter. * Perform maximal isometric knee extensor strength and triple-hop distance tests at three time points: before fatigue, after fatigue, and after VPM intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
26
Participants will receive a 5-minute vibrational percussion massage (VPM) intervention applied to the right rectus femoris muscle using a handheld percussion massage device (Hypervolt, Hyperice, California, United States) with a spherical massage head at a fixed frequency of 53 Hz. The intervention will be administered by a trained physical therapist with the device applied perpendicularly to the treatment area. Two treatment locations on the rectus femoris muscle, including the midpoint and lower one-third of the muscle, will each receive 2.5 minutes of non-stroking stimulation. During the intervention, participants will lie in a supine position with both lower extremities fully relaxed and extended.
National Cheng Kung University
Tainan, Taiwan
Muscle tension of the rectus femoris measured by myotonometry (Hz)
Muscle tension represents the resting tone of the rectus femoris muscle, quantified by oscillation frequency. Higher values indicate greater resting muscle tension.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris measured by myotonometry (N/m)
Dynamic stiffness represents the resistance of the rectus femoris muscle to external deformation, with higher values indicating greater muscle stiffness and lower tissue compliance.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Muscle elasticity of the rectus femoris measured by myotonometry (logarithmic decrement)
Muscle elasticity represents the ability of the rectus femoris muscle to restore its original shape after deformation. Lower values indicate better elasticity and lower energy dissipation.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Mechanical stress relaxation time of the rectus femoris measured by myotonometry (ms)
Mechanical stress relaxation time represents the time required for the rectus femoris muscle to recover from deformation after an external mechanical impulse. Longer values indicate more compliant (softer) tissue, whereas shorter values indicate increased muscle stiffness.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Creep of the rectus femoris measured by myotonometry (ratio)
Creep represents the viscoelastic deformation of the rectus femoris muscle under a constant mechanical load. Higher values indicate greater tissue elongation capacity and viscoelastic deformation, whereas lower values suggest reduced compliance.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Maximal isometric knee extensor strength measured by handheld dynamometry (N)
Maximal isometric knee extensor strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Participants performed a 6-second maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee extensors in a seated position, and the peak force was recorded. Three trials were performed and averaged for analysis.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
Triple-hop distance test (m)
The triple-hop test was used to assess functional lower-limb performance. Participants performed three consecutive maximal forward hops on the same limb and were required to maintain balance for 3 seconds after the final landing. The total hopping distance from the starting line to the final landing position was measured. Three trials were performed and averaged for analysis.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the 5-minute vibrational percussion massage intervention.
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