Changes in Muscle Hardness Induced by Exercise Load and the Influence of Electroacupuncture

Objective: This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on muscle hardness changes induced by exercise, using ultrasound real-time tissue elastography (RTE).

Materials and methods: Healthy men were included in 2 experiments. Experiment 1 had 11, and Experiment 2 had 10. In Experiment 1, after resting in a prone position for 5 minutes, RTE of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured and subjective muscle fatigue was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS). After RTE and VAS measurements, calf raises were performed, and measurements were made 15 and 30 minutes later. In Experiment 2, after measuring RTE and VAS after calf raises, EA was applied to BL-56 and BL-57 of the gastrocnemius muscle for 15 minutes, and measurements were made right after EA and 15 minutes later.

Results: Experiment 1: Strain ratio (SR) increased significantly right after exercise, compared to no significant difference after 15 and 30 minutes. Experiment 2: SR was significantly lower after EA than right after exercise and stayed lower after 15 minutes of EA.

Conclusions: EA to the gastrocnemius muscle may promote recovery of gastrocnemius muscle hardness induced by calf-raise exercise.