SECTION II - EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND SPORTS MEDICINE / RESEARCH PAPER
The Effects of Dry Needling and Tecar Therapy on Post-Exercise Gastrocnemius Muscle Recovery in Mixed Martial Arts
and Crossfit Athletes
1
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
2
Olaniszyn Physiotherapy Centre, Racibórz, Poland.
3
Faculty of Medicine, Katowice Business University, Katowice, Poland.
4
Department of Basic Physiotherapy, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
5
Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
6
Applied Research Institute (i2A), Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
7
Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Coimbra, Portugal.
8
Department of Biomechanics and Sport Engineering, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
9
Provita Żory Medical Center, Żory, Poland.
Submission date: 2025-03-03
Final revision date: 2025-07-24
Acceptance date: 2026-03-09
Online publication date: 2026-09-04
Corresponding author
Robert Trybulski
Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice, 40-659 Katowice, Poland, Poland
Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice, 40-659 Katowice, Poland, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the recovery effects of combining dry needling (DN) with Tecar therapy (T) compared to each treatment alone on gastrocnemius muscle recovery in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and CrossFit athletes after a fatigue protocol. Forty-eight athletes were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: DN/T, DN/sham T, shamDN/T, and a control group. DN involved needling three trigger points per muscle, while Tecar therapy used electromagnetic waves applied via capacitive transfer. Assessments of perfusion (PU), elasticity (ME), the pain threshold (PPT), and the reactive strength index (RSI) were taken at rest, post-fatigue, post-treatment, and 48 hours post-treatment. A mixed ANCOVA showed the DN/T group had significantly higher PU scores post-treatment compared to all other groups (p < 0.001). ME was significantly lower in the DN/T group at both post-treatment and 48 hours into recovery (p < 0.05). PPT was significantly higher in the DN/T group at both time points, particularly compared to the control condition (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The RSI was also significantly higher in the DN/T group at both time points compared to all other groups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, combining DN with T demonstrated superior recovery benefits for blood perfusion, muscle elasticity, the pain threshold, and reactive strength compared to either treatment alone or control, suggesting a synergistic effect beneficial for athletes' muscle recovery.
REFERENCES (46)
1.
Bruce, O., Moull, K., & Fischer, S. (2017). Principal components analysis to characterise fatigue-related changes in technique: Application to double under jump rope. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(13), 1300–1309. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
2.
Cagnie, B., Barbe, T., De Ridder, E., Van Oosterwijck, J., Cools, A., & Danneels, L. (2012). The Influence of Dry Needling of the Trapezius Muscle on Muscle Blood Flow and Oxygenation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 35(9), 685–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt....
3.
Cagnie, B., Dewitte, V., Barbe, T., Timmermans, F., Delrue, N., & Meeus, M. (2013). Physiologic Effects of Dry Needling. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 17(8), 348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916....
4.
Chen, W.-H., Yang, W.-W., Lee, Y.-H., Wu, H.-J., Huang, C.-F., & Liu, C. (2020). Acute Effects of Battle Rope Exercise on Performance, Blood Lactate Levels, Perceived Exertion, and Muscle Soreness in Collegiate Basketball Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(10), 2857–2866. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
5.
di Cagno, A., Iuliano, E., Buonsenso, A., Giombini, A., Di Martino, G., Parisi, A., Calcagno, G., & Fiorilli, G. (2020). Effects of Accentuated Eccentric Training vs Plyometric Training on Performance of Young Elite Fencers. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(4), 703–713.
6.
Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., & Dommerholt, J. (2014). Myofascial Trigger Points: Peripheral or Central Phenomenon? Current Rheumatology Reports, 16(1), 395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926....
7.
Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Nijs, J., Cagnie, B., Gerwin, R. D., Plaza-Manzano, G., Valera-Calero, J. A., & Arendt-Nielsen, L. (2023). Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Nociceptive Condition Comorbid with Neuropathic or Nociplastic Pain. Life, 13(3), 694. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13....
8.
Fernández-De-Las-Peñas, C., Plaza-Manzano, G., Sanchez-Infante, J., Gómez-Chiguano, G. F., Cleland, J. A., Arias-Buría, J. L., López-de-Uralde-Villanueva, I., & Navarro-Santana, M. J. (2021). Is Dry Needling Effective When Combined with Other Therapies for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck Pain Symptoms? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Research and Management, 2021, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8....
9.
Ferri-Caruana, A., Sendra-Pérez, C., & Priego-Quesada, J. I. (2024). Gastrocnemius Neuromuscular Activation During Standing Explosive Acceleration. Life, 14(11), 1378. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14....
10.
Gao, L., Ye, J., Bálint, K., Radak, Z., Mao, Z., & Gu, Y. (2023). Biomechanical effects of exercise fatigue on the lower limbs of men during the forward lunge. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.....
11.
Gerwin, R. (2010). Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Here We Are, Where Must We Go? Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 18(4), 329–347. https://doi.org/10.3109/105824....
12.
Giordano, B. D., & Botros, M. (2023). Common Injuries and Conditions in Crossfit Participation. In Endurance Sports Medicine (pp. 221–235). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-....
13.
Grodzicki, T., Necki, M., Cwynar, M., & Gryglewska, B. (2003). [Laser doppler flowmetry--repeatability of the method]. Przeglad Lekarski, 60(2), 89–91.
14.
Guimaraes, B., Barreto, J., Martins, A. Ú., Silva, J., Matos, J., Cardoso, R., Melo, F., & Branco, C. A. (2018). The role of tecar therapy in the delayed onset muscle soreness and functional recovery. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 61, e75–e76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reha....
15.
Hong, C.-Z. (2004). Myofascial Pain Therapy. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 12(3–4), 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1300/J094v1....
16.
Hsieh, Y.-L., Yang, S.-A., Yang, C.-C., & Chou, L.-W. (2012). Dry Needling at Myofascial Trigger Spots of Rabbit Skeletal Muscles Modulates the Biochemicals Associated with Pain, Inflammation, and Hypoxia. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/3....
17.
Jiménez-Sánchez, C., Gómez-Soriano, J., Bravo-Esteban, E., Mayoral-del Moral, O., Herrero-Gállego, P., Serrano-Muñoz, D., & Ortiz-Lucas, M. (2021). Effects of Dry Needling on Biomechanical Properties of the Myofascial Trigger Points Measured by Myotonometry: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 44(6), 467–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt....
18.
Johanson, M. A., Cuda, B. J., Koontz, J. E., Stell, J. C., & Abelew, T. A. (2009). Effect of Stretching on Ankle and Knee Angles and Gastrocnemius Activity during the Stance Phase of Gait. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 18(4), 521–534. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.18....
19.
Jones, K., Skinner, B., & Cuttell, S. (2024). An investigation into the effects of cryo-compression versus TECAR therapy on symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Graduate Journal of Sports Science, Coaching, Management, & Rehabilitation, 1(3), 7–7. https://doi.org/10.19164/gjssc....
20.
Kelly, J. P., Koppenhaver, S. L., Michener, L. A., Kolber, M. J., & Cleland, J. A. (2021). Immediate decrease of muscle biomechanical stiffness following dry needling in asymptomatic participants. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 27, 605–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt....
21.
Koh, R. G., Paul, T. M., Nesovic, K., West, D., Kumbhare, D., & Wilson, R. D. (2023). Reliability and minimal detectable difference of pressure pain thresholds in a pain-free population. British Journal of Pain, 17(3), 239–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/204946....
22.
Kuan, T.-S., Hong, C.-Z., Chen, S.-M., Tsai, C.-T., Yen, W.-C., Chen, J.-T., & Feng, C.-Y. (2012). Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Correlation between the Irritability of Trigger Points and the Prevalence of Local Twitch Responses during Trigger Point Injection. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 20(4), 250–256. https://doi.org/10.3109/105824....
23.
Kużdzał, A., Clemente, F. M., Klich, S., Kawczyński, A., & Trybulski, R. (2024). Combination of Manual Therapy and Dry Needling Effectively Improves Acute Neck Pain and Muscular Tone and Stiffness in Combat Sports Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 852–853. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.....
24.
Lima, B. N., Lucareli, P. R. G., Gomes, W. A., Silva, J. J., Bley, A. S., Hartigan, E. H., & Marchetti, P. H. (2014). The acute effects of unilateral ankle plantar flexors static- stretching on postural sway and gastrocnemius muscle activity during single-leg balance tasks. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 13(3), 564–570.
25.
Marocolo, M., Arriel, R. A., Guedes, G., Meireles, A., Krzysztofik, M., Chycki, J., Zajac, A. & Souza, H. L. (2025). Evaluating Local Muscle Oxygen Saturation: Ischemic Preconditioning Protocols and the Myth of Overcompensation. Journal of Human Kinetics, 95, 71–82. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/19....
26.
Mousavi, Z., Soltani, A., Ahadi, J., & Amirshakeri, B. (2024). Comparing the Effect of Capacitive and Capacitive-Resistive TECAR Therapy on Hamstring Muscle Flexibility in Individuals with Hamstring Shortness: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.5812/mejrh-....
27.
Nguyen, A. P., Verdebout, J., Fontaine, A., Mahaudens, P., & Detrembleur, C. (2024). Recommendation for stiffness measurement on gastrocnemii and Achilles tendon at rest and in loaded conditions. European Rehabilitation Journal, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.52057/erj.v....
28.
Ojeda-Aravena, A., Herrera-Valenzuela, T., Valdés-Badilla, P., Báez-San Martín, E., Thapa, R. K., & Ramirez-Campillo, R. (2023). A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Plyometric-Jump Training on the Physical Fitness of Combat Sport Athletes. Sports, 11(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports....
29.
Perreault, T., Dunning, J., & Butts, R. (2017). The local twitch response during trigger point dry needling: Is it necessary for successful outcomes? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 21(4), 940–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt....
30.
Rajan, V., Varghese, B., van Leeuwen, T. G., & Steenbergen, W. (2009). Review of methodological developments in laser Doppler flowmetry. Lasers in Medical Science, 24(2), 269–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103....
31.
Santos, W. Y. H. dos, Aidar, F. J., Matos, D. G. de, Van den Tillaar, R., Marçal, A. C., Lobo, L. F., Marcucci-Barbosa, L. S., Machado, S. da C., Almeida-Neto, P. F. de, Garrido, N. D., Reis, V. M., Vieira, É. L. M., Cabral, B. G. de A. T., Vilaça-Alves, J., Nunes-Silva, A., & Júnior, W. M. da S. (2021). Physiological and Biochemical Evaluation of Different Types of Recovery in National Level Paralympic Powerlifting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5155. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph....
32.
Singh, U., Ramachandran, A. K., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Perez-Castilla, A., Afonso, J., Manuel Clemente, F., & Oliver, J. (2022). Jump rope training effects on health- and sport-related physical fitness in young participants: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(16), 1801–1814. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
33.
Sivkov, R., Mihaylova, M., & Yankov, T. (2023). An overview of the more significant therapeutic effects of TECAR therapy. Varna Medical Forum, 12(2), 97. https://doi.org/10.14748/vmf.v....
34.
Szabo, D. A., Neagu, N., Popoviciu, H. V., Szasz, S., Șopterean, T. A., & Munteanu, R. M. (2020). The benefits of the TECAR therapy in flexion recovery after revision of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal, 13(25), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.2478/tperj-....
35.
Szabo, D. A., Neagu, N., Teodorescu, S., Predescu, C., Sopa, I. S., & Panait, L. (2022). TECAR Therapy Associated with High-Intensity Laser Therapy (Hilt) and Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Muscle Disorders: A Literature Review on the Theorised Effects Supporting Their Use. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(20), 6149. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm112....
36.
Tang, C.-T., & Song, B. (2022). Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Sports Performance and Recovery. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 21(6), 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.00....
37.
Toledo, Ramon, Dias, M. R., Souza, D., Soares, R., Toledo, Ronam, Lácio, M., & Vianna, J. (2022). Joint and muscle injuries in men and women CrossFit® training participants. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 50(3), 205–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/009138....
38.
Trybulski, R., Kużdżał, A., Stanula, A., Klich, S., Clemente, F. M., Kawczyński, A., & Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C. (2024a). Biomechanical Profile after Dry Needling in Mixed Martial Arts. International Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2342....
39.
Trybulski, R., Kużdżał, A., Wilk, M., Więckowski, J., Fostiak, K., & Muracki, J. (2024b). Reliability of MyotonPro in measuring the biomechanical properties of the quadriceps femoris muscle in people with different levels and types of motor preparation. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.....
40.
Trybulski, R., Stanula, A., Żebrowska, A., Podleśny, M., & Hall, B. (2024c). Acute Effects of the Dry Needling Session on Gastrocnemius Muscle Biomechanical Properties, and Perfusion with Latent Trigger Points - A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 136–146. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.....
41.
Trybulski, R., Żebrowska, A., Bichowska-Pawęska, M., Kużdżał, A., Ryszkiel, I., Silva, R. M., Muracki, J., & Kawczyński, A. (2024d). The Effects of Combined Contrast Heat Cold Pressure Therapy on Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery in MMA Fighters: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Human Kinetics, 94, 127–146. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/19....
42.
Yang, J., Cheng, J. W., Wagner, H., Lohman, E., Yang, S. H., Krishingner, G. A., Trofimova, A., Alsyouf, M., & Staack, A. (2019). The effect of high impact crossfit exercises on stress urinary incontinence in physically active women. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 38(2), 749–756. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23....
43.
Yeste-Fabregat, M., Baraja-Vegas, L., Vicente-Mampel, J., Pérez-Bermejo, M., Bautista González, I. J., & Barrios, C. (2021). Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8756. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph....
44.
Yoon, J.-O., Kang, M.-H., Kim, J.-S., & Oh, J.-S. (2018). Effect of modified bridge exercise on trunk muscle activity in healthy adults: a cross sectional study. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 22(2), 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt....
45.
Zhao, Q., Wang, Y., Niu, Y., & Liu, S. (2023). Jumping Rope Improves the Physical Fitness of Preadolescents Aged 10-12 Years: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 367–380. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.....
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1899-7562 |
| ISSN: | 1640-5544 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
