Local Vibration Therapy, Oxygen Resaturation Rate, and Muscle Strength After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Percival, S, Sims, DT and Stebbings, GK (2022) Local Vibration Therapy, Oxygen Resaturation Rate, and Muscle Strength After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Journal of Athletic Training, 57 (5). pp. 502-509. ISSN 1062-6050

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Abstract

Context: Exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) is associated with transient reductions in strength and athletic performance. Studies conclude aetiology is due in part to muscle micro vascular damage and disruption of blood flow. Previous research on vibration therapy reports modulation in muscle blood flow, oxygenation and strength. Objective: The aim of this study was to observe if local vibration therapy (VT) alleviates the impairments and haemodynamic changes associated with EIMD. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Laboratory and public gymnasium. Patients or other participants: Ten healthy participants (6 males: 4 females; age: 38±15 yrs; height: 1.72±0.48 m; mass 72.0±10.4 kg) were randomized into experimental (VT) and control (CON) groups. Interventions: Both groups performed 10 sets of 10 eccentric wrist flexions at 70% of 1-repetition maximum to induce muscle damage. Subsequent assessment of wrist flexor strength and flexor carpus ulnaris (FCU) muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) occurred at 1-, 24- and 48 hr-post exercise. VT group underwent 10 min of local VT (45 Hz) starting 1 hr-post exercise and applied twice daily (separated by 8 hrs) for 48 hrs during habitual waking hours. CON group received no local VT. Main outcome measure(s): Grip strength, resting muscle oxygen (SmO2), muscle oxygen de-saturation and re-saturation rate. Results: No difference in grip strength observed pre EIMD, but the VT group demonstrated greater strength at 1 hr (P=0.004), 24 hr (P=0.031) and 48 hr (P=0.021) post EIMD compared to controls. No difference in SmO2 re-saturation over time (P>0.05), but the VT group had a greater re-saturation rate compared to controls at 1 hr (P=0.007, d = 2.6), 24 hr (P=0.001 d = 3.1) and 48 hr (P=0.035, d = 1.7) post EIMD. Conclusions: Local VT successfully attenuated the effects of EIMD and increased SmO2 re-saturation in FCU muscles. Including local VT as part of a recovery protocol post-EIMD could be beneficial for rehabilitation and athletic training purposes.