<p>Immediate Effect of Local Vibration Therapy for Sport-induced Fatigue Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Holistic Theory</p>

Abstract

Introduction Vibration therapy has been widely used and published in alleviating muscle fatigue. However, reports on applying vibration therapy based on the holisitic theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains limited. This study is to evaluate the immediate effect of vibration therapy on exercise-induced muscle fatigue. Methods For this retrospective parallel controlled study, all data were from a previously approved and completed clinical trial. Participants (n=40) in the clinical trial included local Greco-Roman wrestling and Judo athletes in south China. The participants were equally randomly divided into the intervention group (n=20) and control group (n=20). The intervention group received a seven-week vibration intervention-based TCM holistic theory combined with conventional therapy, such as stretching, massage, and flapping, while the control group only received the conventional therapy. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the lumbar segment of erector spinae was measured for each participant pre- and postintervention, and the two-point discrimination thresholds of the data were differentiated and compared with panel data analysis. Results For the control group, the pre- and postintervention sEMG measure showed no significant difference ( p =0.333), whereas significant difference ( p =0.004) was observed for the intervention group. Further, the pre- and postintervention two-point discrimination test also showed a significant difference ( p =0.016) for the intervention group. Discussion The application of vibration therapy based on TCM holistic theory may have an immediate effect in reducing sport-induced muscle fatigue from intensive training. Future larger sample size and robust designed clinical trial is warranted to evaluate the long-term effect of the intervention.

Long-Term Effect of Vibration Therapy for Training-Induced Muscle Fatigue in Elite Athletes

“…The instrument therapy consisted of ‘holistic intervention’ and ‘local intervention’. The holistic therapy was applied to manage adverse manifestations of multiple-system symptoms such as emotional abnormalities, inappetence, insomnia, physical fatigue, and slow physical recovery, which are generally known as holistic problems in TCM and correspond to holistic intervention [ 12 ].…”

“…During the holistic intervention, Multidimensional Vibration Meridian Instrument was rolled at meridians such as Du meridian (DU), Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang (BL) and Three Yin Meridians of Hand. These Meridians are detailed and illustrated in a separate publication [ 12 ]. In this way, the overall coordination of multiple body systems could be regulated, thereby improving the bodily ability of self-restoration.…”

“…In this study, the selected Training-Rehabilitation Combination Apparatus includes both the Multidimensional Vibration Meridian Instrument and the Multidimensional Trans-acupoint Vibration Instrument. The vibrational frequency was set to 45 Hz or 52 Hz [ 12 ]. Details and illustrations of the apparatus and the apparatus application are presented elsewhere [ 12 ].…”

“…The vibrational frequency was set to 45 Hz or 52 Hz [ 12 ]. Details and illustrations of the apparatus and the apparatus application are presented elsewhere [ 12 ].…”

“…Based on theoretical techniques related to the holistic theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) meridians, myofascial chain and vibration stimulation, we presented a vibration therapy (or instrument therapy in this current paper) combining ‘holistic’ and ‘local’ interventions. We reported that our vibration therapy intervention had a significant immediate effect in controlling the study participant muscle fatigue [ 12 ].…”