Abstract
Immediate characteristics of acupuncture have been confirmed by relevant studies; however, the current study on the time effect of acupuncture in improving upper limb forearm muscle endurance is still limited. The aims of this study are to explore: (1) whether real acupuncture (RA) can improve female forearm muscle endurance compared to sham acupuncture (SA) and (2) whether the changes in forearm muscle endurance after RA are time-dependent. Thirty-six healthy female students were recruited to participate in isokinetic tests of elbow flexion/extension (Flex/Ext) from maximum flexion to maximum extension as much as possible using an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed rate of 60°/sec. Participants in the RA group were stimulated at Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (SJ10), and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints for 20 min, while the SA group needling was near at these acupoints. The values of the isokinetic parameters and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were recorded before and after acupuncture. After RA, the isokinetic parameters values (average torque, work, power, and speed), the sEMG values at four major muscles, and the joint stiffness of elbow Flex/Ext were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The enhancement of forearm muscle endurance lasted approximately 7–21 min (from post1 to post3/post4), indicating that the effect of RA to improve elbow Flex/Ext muscle endurance is time-dependent. Therefore, this study found that RA can immediately improve the forearm muscle endurance of healthy women compared with SA, and this effect can last approximately 7–21 min until the acupuncture efficacy decreased or disappeared.
Highlights
Acupuncture, as one of the most popular alternative therapies in Western medical practice, is often used to treat common diseases and relieve pain [1], such as acupuncture for migraine, tinnitus, chronic headache, primary insomnia, and other clinical trials have shown long-term efficacy [2]
Past studies have applied acupuncture to improve upper limb motor performance, such as acupuncture combined with neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) can improve shoulder ROM and activities of daily living in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) [4]. erefore, acupuncture can improve the ability of upper limb movement by increasing the range of motion of upper limb joints
After real acupuncture (RA) at Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (SJ10), and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints, the electromyographic values of biceps brachii, palmaris longus, extensor carpi radialis longus, and triceps brachii pectoralis of elbow extension-flexion; the joint stiffness of elbow extension-flexion; and the isokinetic parameter of elbow extension-flexion at post1 were higher than pre, indicating that RA could immediately improve the forearm muscle endurance in healthy women compared with the sham acupuncture (SA), and the effect continued to increase about 7–21 min until the effect decreased or disappeared
Summary
Acupuncture, as one of the most popular alternative therapies in Western medical practice, is often used to treat common diseases and relieve pain [1], such as acupuncture for migraine, tinnitus, chronic headache, primary insomnia, and other clinical trials have shown long-term efficacy [2]. Past studies have applied acupuncture to improve upper limb motor performance, such as acupuncture combined with neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) can improve shoulder ROM and activities of daily living in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) [4]. Past studies have shown that professional rugby players can use the PAP effect to improve upper-limb ballistic bench press power output with sufficient recovery time [6]. Acupuncture can stimulate the skin to transmit nerve impulses, which may trigger the PAP effect and enhance the explosive force of the shoulder joint [7]. Erefore, the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine application of acupuncture in athletic competitions may increase the recruitment of motor units and thereby increase the explosive power of the upper limbs Acupuncture or electrical stimulation may induce the PAP effect more than spontaneous muscle contraction [8]. erefore, the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine application of acupuncture in athletic competitions may increase the recruitment of motor units and thereby increase the explosive power of the upper limbs
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