Acute effects of systemic acupuncture treatment on strength and power performance of male handball players - A double blinded randomized controlled trial

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the acute effects of a systemic acupuncture protocol on strength and power performance of male handball players.

Introduction: Regarding sports performance, different strategies have been used displaying different outcomes. In a more holistic approach, the use of manual therapies such as acupuncture has gained increased attention.

Methods: A convenience sample of 27 handball players divided into three distinct groups was used for analysis (Sham = 22.3 ± 3.77; Acupuncture = 23.6 ± 5.27; Control = 25.25 ± 5.50 years old). Participants were assessed for lower limb power (countermovement jump), handgrip strength, and maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) "pre" and "post" an acupuncture, control or Sham protocol.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding vertical jump performance. A significant reduction on MIVC was observed for the "Sham" group in the intraprotocol analysis for both dominant and non-dominant limbs (0.047). It was also found a significant reduction on handgrip strength in the intraprotocol comparison of both "Sham" (p = 0.028) and "acupuncture" (p = 0.015) groups.

Conclusions: The use of an acute systemic acupuncture protocol provided a minor negative impact on handgrip strength performance in a sample composed of male handball players.