Analysis of the Effect of Acupuncture and Pressing of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Recovery of Delayed Muscle Soreness in Athletes.

In this study, we have analyzed numerous effects of the acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine on recovery of delayed muscle soreness in athletes. To implement this idea, a total of 84 athletes with delayed muscle soreness treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were included. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the experimental group and the control group: among them, 42 cases were in the experimental group and were treated by TCM acupuncture. In the control group, 42 athletes used rehabilitation training. Compared with serum CK levels in the control group, serum CK levels in the experimental group decreased after training, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). After intensive training in the control group (P < 0.05), it indicated that acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine was effective in the recovery of fatigue after exercise, which was significantly better than that in the control group. The serum testosterone value of the experimental group before intensive training had no significant difference, but the serum testosterone value of the moxibustion group of male athletes after intensive training was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Female athletes have a low blood testosterone base and are less affected by the gonad axis. There was no statistically significant difference in RPE scores before treatment. After treatment, the RPE score of the experimental group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05), which was statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores before treatment. After treatment, the VAS score in the experimental group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, compared with the control group, the experimental group had a decrease in calf circumference, an increase in muscle strength, and an increase in the range of motion (P < 0.05). Acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine have obvious clinical application value in the treatment of delayed muscle soreness in athletes, and they have great clinical application value. Muscle injury is a common disease of athletes.

1. Introduction

Sports are a good way for people to keep fit [1]. However, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a condition that occurs when a person exercises or contracts a muscle in a way that they are not used to. Muscle soreness 12 to 48 hours after exercise, lasting 5 to 7 days, is a special kind of muscle fatigue [2, 3]. More than the customary load of sports training can cause skeletal muscle delayed pain and muscle stiffness. Without adequate rest and measures to promote recovery, this can lead to either chronic or acute damage to skeletal muscles [4]. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that delayed muscle soreness belongs to the “long-term injury of the tendons” in the “Suwen·Xuanming Five Qi Pian,” and Zhang Jiebin noted that “the work of the practitioner lies in the tendons” [5]. In terms of the etiology, DOMS occurs after a large amount of centrifugal contraction exercise, which is caused by excessive strain of muscles and “tendon loss and maintenance” [6]. Meanwhile, muscle stiffness is alleviated and muscle strength decreases [7]. At present, there are a variety of treatment programs and rehabilitation training for DOMS, but there are differences in the treatment effect among different treatment programs, and the treatment effect is often unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is urgent to explore a therapeutic measure with a significant curative effect [8].

In this study, we have analyzed numerous effects of the acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine on recovery of delayed muscle soreness in athletes. To implement this idea, a total of 84 athletes with delayed muscle soreness treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were included. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the experimental group and the control group: among them, 42 cases were in the experimental group and were treated by TCM acupuncture. In the control group, 42 athletes used rehabilitation training. Compared with serum CK levels in the control group, serum CK levels in the experimental group decreased after training, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). After intensive training in the control group (P < 0.05), it indicated that acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine was effective in the recovery of fatigue after exercise, which was significantly better than that in the control group. The serum testosterone value of the experimental group before intensive training had no significant difference, but the serum testosterone value of the moxibustion group of male athletes after intensive training was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

The remaining portions of the paper are organized according to the following agenda items which are provided as a guide map.

In the subsequent section, i.e., Section 2, the proposed methodology, that is, the effectiveness of the acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine on recovery of delayed muscle soreness in athletes is described. Experimental results and observations are presented in Section 3 where various results have verified the operational capabilities of the proposed approach in a real environment or where the proposed scheme is expected to be implemented. A generalized discussion section along with the comprehensive concluding remarks is provided in separate sections of the manuscript.

2. Proposed Approach: Materials and Methods

2.1. General Information

A total of 84 athletes with delayed muscle soreness treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were included. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the experimental group and the control group: among them, 42 cases were in the experimental group and were pushed by TCM acupuncture. In the control group, 42 athletes used rehabilitation training. In the experimental group, the age of the athletes ranged from 23 to 56 years, with an average age of (37.34 ± 6.25) years. There were 20 males and 22 females with a height of 1.72 + 0.14 m and a weight of 61.85 + 18.70 kg. The years of exercise ranged from 6 to 13 years, with an average of (8.31 ± 2.59) years. In the control group, 42 athletes used rehabilitation training, and the age of the athletes ranged from 23 to 57 years, with an average age of (36.95 ± 7.13) years. There were 23 males and 19 females with a height of 1.71 + 0.15 m and a weight of 61.77 + 18.35 kg. The years of exercise ranged from 6 to 12 years with an average of (8.15 ± 2.57) years. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical data between the two groups (P > 0.05), so the baseline level of the two groups was the same.

All the athletes signed the informed consent for inclusion. The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of our hospital.

Inclusion criteria for the study included the following:

All athletes need to meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for DOMS

Athletes were required to sign an informed consent form before treatment and are required to agree to the treatment plan

Exclusion criteria for the study included the following:

Those who did not meet the above diagnostic criteria and inclusion criteria

Congenital skeletal and muscular dysplasia

Osteoarthritis caused by nonsports injuries or joint diseases caused by other rheumatism or rheumatoid diseases

Athletes with mental disorders or with other serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases or major diseases of the liver and kidney system

Did not sign the informed consent or do not cooperate with treatment

Other unsuitable candidates

2.2. Methodology

2.2.1. In the Experimental Group, Acupuncture and Pressing of Traditional Chinese Medicine Were Adopted

Acupuncture was treated by local acupoint selection. The first acupuncture intervention was performed 30 minutes after exercise and then once a day (noon) for a total of five times. The intervention time was 20 minutes each time. The techniques of leveling and reinforcing, and leveling and reducing were operated by one person.

In the prone position, the therapist kneads and relaxes the gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle for 5 minutes with the hypothenar and multifinger rolling. The Achilles tendon and ankle were kneaded several times with thenar and thumb, and finally the treatment to the leg muscles was applied by rubbing, until the diathermia.

2.2.2. In the Control Group, Rehabilitation Training Was Adopted

Muscle stretching: the patient was sitting, the spine was extended upward, the legs were retracted, and the soles of the feet were opposite, focusing on the muscle stretching in the thighs.

Strength exercises in the lateral lying position: starting from the right side, the knees were bent to 90 degrees and folded. Inhale and keep feet together and then lift the left knee up; exhale and slowly fall down to increase the strength of the gluteus muscles. One session consisted of five sets, spaced five minutes apart, and one session was performed every other day. A total of 1 month of rehabilitation training was performed.

2.3. Observational Index

Blood indicators: the blood was taken as samples from the venue in the morning one day before the start and on the second day after the end, respectively. The serum CK test was performed by the enzyme dynamic method.

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) [9] was used. The RPE was rated on a six-point to 20-point scale, with 6 indicating no effort at all and 20 indicating exhaustion.

The visual analogue scale (VAS) [10] was used to evaluate the results. The visual analogue scale with a length of 10 cm was used, from one end of the scale to the other, marked with numbers from 0 to 10. The subjects marked the location of the pain on the ruler.

Diameter or circumference of the lower leg: the calf circumference was used to assess the degree of calf muscle swelling. The circumference of the subject's lower leg was measured at the upper third of the line from the head of the fibula to the center of the lateral malleolus.

Range of motion of the ankle joint: range of motion was an indicator of neuromuscular dysfunction and an indirect marker of muscle soreness development. The angle of ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion was measured using a hand-held digital force meter (MicroFET3).

Muscle strength: MicroFET3 was used to measure the maximum equilength muscle strength of the sural and soleus muscles in Newton (N). The subjects were asked to lie on their back with the knee fully extended and the ankle in a neutral position to assess triceps calf strength.

2.4. Statistical Method

The statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS22. 0 statistical software to analyze the data, and the total treatment rate between the two groups was compared, expressed as “percentage,” and the X2 test was used. The comparison between the two groups was expressed as x ± s, the independent sample t-test was conducted, and P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

3. Experimental Results

3.1. Result of the Blood Index

Compared with serum CK levels in the control group, serum CK levels in the experimental group decreased after training, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). After intensive training in the control group (P < 0.05), it indicated that acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine was effective in the recovery of fatigue after exercise, which was significantly better than that in the control group. The serum testosterone value of the experimental group before intensive training had no significant difference, but the serum testosterone value of the moxibustion group of male athletes after intensive training was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Female athletes have a low blood testosterone base and are less affected by the gonad axis. The result of the blood index is shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Result of the blood index.

Groups		Control group	Experimental group
Serum CK levels (male)	1 day before the start	391.31 ± 51.32	385.34 ± 32.12
	The end of the second morning	193.25 ± 68.41	170.64 ± 65.38
Serum CK levels (female)	1 day before the start	142.25 ± 0.13	155.68 ± 0.23
	The end of the second morning	65.14 ± 0.15	55.02 ± 0.22
Serum testosterone value (male)	1 day before the start	325.14 ± 95.41	284.32 ± 130.21
	The end of the second morning	326.75 ± 105.87	383.64 ± 95.45
Serum testosterone value (female)	1 day before the start	35.12 ± 9.04	36.41 ± 12.85
	The end of the second morning	36.02 ± 12.33	38.75 ± 9.31

3.2. Results of the RPE

There was no statistically significant difference in RPE scores before treatment. After treatment, the RPE score of the experimental group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05), which was statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Results of the RPE are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Results of the RPE.

Groups		Control group	Experimental group
Male	1 day before the start	18.02 ± 0.16	17.44 ± 0.25
	The end of the second morning	17.52 ± 0.27	10.16 ± 0.31
Female	1 day before the start	16.44 ± 0.320.36	16.15 ± 0.29
	The end of the second morning	14.98 ± 0.28	10.02 ± 0.26

3.3. Results of the VAS

There was no significant difference in VAS scores before treatment. After treatment, the VAS score in the observation group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Results of the VAS are shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Results of the VAS.

Groups		Control group	Experimental group
Male	1 day before the start	6.75 ± 0.32	6.89 ± 0.34
	The end of the second morning	6.02 ± 0.31	3.12 ± 0.41
Female	1 day before the start	6.55 ± 0.24	6.77 ± 0.29
	The end of the second morning	6.04 ± 0.38	3.25 ± 0.43

3.4. Results of Changes in Calf Circumference, Muscle Strength, and Range of Motion

After treatment, compared with the control group, the experimental group had a decrease in calf circumference, an increase in muscle strength, and an increase in range of motion (P < 0.05). Results of changes in calf circumference, muscle strength, and range of motion are shown in Table 4.

Table 4

Results of changes in calf circumference, muscle strength, and range of motion.

Indicators	1 day before the start		The end of the second morning
	Control group	Experimental group	Control group	Experimental group
Calf circumference (cm)	35.82 ± 2.58	36.48 ± 2.01	34.76 ± 2.14	30.25 ± 1.47
Muscle strength (N)	29.16 ± 12.33	28.40 ± 12.52	30.12 ± 0.54	35.84 ± 13.24
Range of motion (°)	41.58 ± 1.32	41.78 ± 1.55	42.30 ± 1.57	50.38 ± 1.64

4. Discussion

At present, most scholars believe that the damage caused by centrifugal contraction is the main cause of DOMS [11]. In the process of exercise, higher mechanical tension muscle pulling can cause injury, and inflammation exudates at the injured site to stimulate sensory nerve endings and produce pain. When the same intensity of work is completed, the muscle tension generated by centrifugal contraction is greater than that generated by centririal contraction, so the delayed muscle soreness caused by it is also more obvious [12, 13]. DOMS usually appears in the first 24 hours after strenuous exercise, peaking between 24 and 72 hours [14]. DOMS is classified as type I; muscle strain that appears to be painful or stiff upon palpation and/or movement [15]. It is usually accompanied by muscle swelling and reduced muscle performance, as well as a reduced range of joint motion [16]. While the exact mechanism of DOMS remains unclear, the most widely accepted theory is that it is a primary mechanical injury to a muscle caused by exercise [17]. Microscopic analysis confirmed the destruction of muscle fibers with DOMS, as well as an increase in intracellular enzymes such as CK in the blood and markers of inflammation [18]. The localization of this pain can be attributed to the high density of the muscle pain DOMS in the tendon region association tissue, which is usually associated with unfamiliar, high strength muscle work and is caused by centrifugal motion [19].

This study showed that compared with serum CK levels in the control group, serum CK levels in the experimental group decreased after training, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). After intensive training in the control group (P < 0.05), it indicated that acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine was effective in the recovery of fatigue after exercise, which was significantly better than that in the control group. The serum testosterone value of the experimental group before intensive training had no significant difference, but the serum testosterone value of the moxibustion group of male athletes after intensive training was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Female athletes have a low blood testosterone base and are less affected by the gonad axis. There was no statistically significant difference in RPE scores before treatment. After treatment, the RPE score of the experimental group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05), which was statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores before treatment. After treatment, the VAS score in the observation group decreased rapidly (P < 0.05) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, compared with the control group, the experimental group had a decrease in calf circumference, an increase in muscle strength, and an increase in range of motion (P < 0.05).

5. Conclusion

In this study, we have analyzed numerous effects of the acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine on recovery of delayed muscle soreness in athletes. To implement this idea, a total of 84 athletes with delayed muscle soreness treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were included. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the experimental group and the control group: among them, 42 cases were in the experimental group and were treated by TCM acupuncture. In the control group, 42 athletes used rehabilitation training. Compared with serum CK levels in the control group, serum CK levels in the experimental group decreased after training, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). After intensive training in the control group (P < 0.05), it indicated that acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine was effective in the recovery of fatigue after exercise, which was significantly better than that in the control group. The serum testosterone value of the experimental group before intensive training had no significant difference, but the serum testosterone value of the moxibustion group of male athletes after intensive training was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). To sum up, acupuncture and pressing of traditional Chinese medicine have obvious clinical application value in the treatment of delayed muscle soreness in athletes, and they have a great clinical application value in today when people advocate sports and sports injuries increase.