Clinical trial NCT03317041: Capacitive-resistive Electric Transfer Therapy for Recovery From Running Fatigue
Official title: Effects of a Capacitive-resistive Electric Transfer Therapy Exposure on Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters in Recreational Runners: a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Running
Fatigue
Keywords: Capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy
Radiofrequency therapy
Recovery intervention
Fatigue
Running
Lead sponsor: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2017-10-23
Enrollment: 14
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 55
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief 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).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Recreationally active (current participation in races and a 10-km race time \<34.5-min)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Suffered from any injury within the preceding 4 months.

Primary outcomes:
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE OXYGEN UPTAKE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE RATIO AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE VENTILATION AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE HEART RATE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE BLOOD LACTATE CONCENTRATION AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE STRIDE LENGTH AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE STRIDE FREQUENCY AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE STRIDE ANGLE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE GROUND CONTACT TIME AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE SWING TIME AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE CONTACT PHASE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE SUPPORT PHASE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
measure: CHANGE FROM BASELINE PUSH-OFF PHASE AT 48 HOURS AFTER THE TREATMENT.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session) and at 48 hours after the treatment.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Body height (cm)
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session).
measure: Body weight (kg)
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (24 hours after an exhaustive training session).
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References: