Enhanced External Counterpulsation and Recovery From a Plyometric Exercise Bout

Abstract

To analyze the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). This study followed a crossover, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced design. Ten healthy active subjects (7 male; 27 ± 4 years). Participants performed a plyometric exercise bout (10 sets of 10 jumps interspersed with 1-minute rests) and were then assigned to recover for 30 minutes with either EECP (cuff pressure = 80 mm Hg) or a Sham intervention (0 mm Hg) immediately after exercise and at 24 hours after exercise. Two weeks later, they repeated the protocol with the other recovery intervention. Muscle soreness, creatine kinase (CK) activity, jump performance, and tensiomyographic variables were measured before exercise, and 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The mean jump height of the plyometric bout did not differ between EECP and Sham (P > 0.05). Exercise resulted in increased muscle soreness (P < 0.001) and CK levels (P < 0.001), as well as in impaired jump performance (P < 0.05). No changes were observed in tensiomyographic variables. No significant differences were found between interventions for any of the study outcomes. No benefits on recovery from EIMD after a plyometric exercise bout were observed with EECP.