The goal of this clinical trial is to study the use of ear acupuncture in 12 minutes running test on third semester of cadets of Medical Faculty, Indonesia Defense University, between intervention and sham group. The outcome measure are heart rate, blood pressure, running distance, intensity and VAS RPE also VAS leg intensity.

Ear acupuncture is a affordable, easy and non-invasive method with good evidence of effectiveness in the scope of physical training. Several previous studies has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in physical exercise, including helping increases oxygen absorption and reduces lactic acid after exercise, lowering chronic musculoskeletal pain. In reducing pain after physical activity, ear acupuncture has been shown to reduce VAS leg intensity. This shows that ear acupuncture can helps athletes recover after intense training faster. At the Defense University of the Republic of Indonesia (UNHAN RI), Study Program students Bachelor of Medicine (cadet) has both academic demands and military training. The military education demands high stamina and physical fitness. To make sure the cadets are in a fit condition to face daily activities with a busy and numerous schedule physical activity, a physical fitness assessment is carried out at the end of each semester using the 12 run test. By doing this test, principal investigator aims to observe the effect of giving ear press needle acupuncture compare with sham on running 12 minutes in Indonesian Defense University student of medical faculty.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Indonesian Defense University Military FK Student Batch 4, Third semester
• Gender male or female, age 18-20 years
• Physically healthy based on the results of medical check-ups in the last 6 months mini medical check up (blood pressure, pulse, saturation, glucose and, Hb check carried out by researchers) as well as being eligible for physical exercise, assessed by PAR-Q questionnaire, history and physical examination
• Willing to follow this research until completion and sign informed consent.
• BMI is normal
• Regularly exercise 5x a week with moderate to heavy intensity categories good physical fitness level
• Do not consume caffeine and high calorie foods high in sugar for 1 hour before the test run

Exclusion Criteria:

• Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids), anti pain (NSAIDS, opioids), muscle relaxants (diazepam, eperisone, etc.) or taking blood thinning drugs (anti-platelet or anti-coagulant drugs).
• Have received any type of acupuncture therapy for some time <7 days before the study.
• History of anti-inflammatory drug treatment in the previous 2 weeks.
• There are tumors, wounds or skin infections, eczema, otitis externa and psoriasis in matchmaking area.
• There was a hypersensitivity reaction to previous acupuncture therapy (allergy metals, severe atopy, keloids, or other skin hypersensitivity).
• Participants had multiple ear piercings.
• Have had surgery on the waist, hip, knee and ankle area before last 1 year.

via the clinicaltrial.org

during this research start november 15th 2024, end november, 15th 2025

participant blinding by divide into two group randomly and received true ear acupuncture or sham acupuncture randomization were done by research assistant outcome assesed by research assistant