Effect of Dry Needling on Thigh Muscle Strength and Hip Flexion in Elite Soccer Players

Abstract

DN showed a significant effect on muscular endurance and hip flexion range of motion that persisted 4 wk posttreatment. Compared with placebo, it showed a significant effect on hip flexion that persisted 4 wk posttreatment, and compared with nonintervention control, it showed a significant effect on maximum force of knee extensors 4 wk posttreatment in elite soccer players.

Comparison of Dry Needling vs. Sham on the Performance of Vertical Jump

“…Haser et al 7 found that dry needling increased maximal force in knee extensor muscles, but this current study is the first to examine the effects that dry needling has on a functional activity such as vertical jump. Vertical jump is a functional activity that can be conducted as a proxy measure of the gastrocnemius/soleus muscle complex performance.…”

“…5 Dry needling combined with physical therapy has been found to reduce pain and increase range of motion and function in subjects suffering from chronic pain following a total knee arthroplasty. 6 Haser et al 7 investigated the treatment of chronic ankle sprains in soccer players and found dry needling to be an effective adjunct to proprioceptive and strengthening exercises for the management of chronic ankle sprains. In addition, Haser et al 7 reported that dry needling increased maximal force output of the quadriceps muscles and decreased injuries.…”

“…6 Haser et al 7 investigated the treatment of chronic ankle sprains in soccer players and found dry needling to be an effective adjunct to proprioceptive and strengthening exercises for the management of chronic ankle sprains. In addition, Haser et al 7 reported that dry needling increased maximal force output of the quadriceps muscles and decreased injuries. Lavelle et al 8 reported that dry needling releases opioid peptides, creating an environment for tissue regeneration and reducing the concentration of nociceptive and reducing the level of nociceptive and sensitive chemical substances in the immediate environment around the trigger point.…”

Innovative Technology for High Performance and Mass Participation Sport

“…Dry needling (DN) is used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, pain, and muscle tension reduction [29][30][31]. Most of the current literature has shown the effectiveness of DN on latent trigger points [32][33][34], but there has also been success in its use to increase range of motion (ROM) after a muscle strain [35] and after an ACL reconstruction [30]. Myofascial pain is a common form of pain that arises from muscles or related fascia and is usually associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrP) and musculoskeletal injuries [33].…”

“…This form of intervention has seen good results in the treatment of MTrPs [33,34,44]. In addition to focusing on MTrPs within a muscle to release tension, there have also been studies that focus on MTrPs to increase ROM, short-term muscle endurance, and return to performance in elite athletes [45]. Most importantly, DN can help with the management of rotator cuff, as part of a conservative therapeutic intervention plan instead of surgical intervention [31].…”