Acupuncture in Adolescent Football Players

The Feasibility and Effects of Acupuncture on Muscle Soreness and Sense of Well-being in an Adolescent Football Population.

Is it feasible to perform acupuncture in the training field after sport performance in adolescent football players?

Does acupuncture provide a decrease in muscle soreness and improvement in overall sense of well-being in the adolescent football population?

Previous studies on the effects of acupuncture on performance and post-exercise recovery have shown that it reduces perceived pain arising from exercise induced muscle soreness and reduces muscle spasm. Acupuncture has also been shown to serve as an adjunct to improve muscle strength training and to accelerate recovery from workouts and injury.

The investigators' goal is to study approximately 50 high school football players in their true pre-season warm weather training environment. The investigators will measure the effects of acupuncture treatment on muscle soreness and overall sense of well-being by administering pre- and post-treatment surveys. Athletes will undergo five treatment sessions over the course of 2.5 weeks. The treatments will be performed by licensed acupuncturists employed at Mayo Clinic. The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Mayo Clinic.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Male or female members of the two local high school football teams
2. Age 13-18 years
3. No current musculoskeletal injuries
4. Generally healthy individuals who plan to complete the season barring injury or other unexpected events.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acupuncture treatment within the past year
2. Known active musculoskeletal injury or condition, immunocompromised state, prosthetic heart valve, pregnancy or known history of bleeding disorder.