Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player
Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player
This randomised single-blind trial will evaluate the immediate effect of a single session of dry needling versus sham needling on calf muscle myofascial trigger points among amateur football players aged 18-25 years. Primary and secondary outcomes are Pressure Pain Threshold (algometer), Sprint Speed (shuttle run test), and Functional Performance (single-leg hop). Outcomes will be measured immediately pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis will be performed in SPSS version 27 using paired and independent t-tests (p < 0.05).
A randomised, single-blind, parallel-group trial recruiting amateur club football players (age 18-25) with active myofascial trigger points in gastrocnemius or soleus. Participants randomised (coin toss) into Group A (Dry Needling) or Group B (Sham Needling). Baseline measures: Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) using handheld algometer, ankle dorsiflexion ROM with goniometer, sprint speed via shuttle run, and single-leg hop distance. Intervention: a single session of dry needling (sterile single-use filiform needles 0.25-0.30 mm; needles retained ~10 minutes with fast-in/fast-out pistoning to elicit local twitch response) or a non-penetrating sham procedure mimicking needling. Post-intervention assessments are performed immediately after the session. Data will be analysed with SPSS v.27; paired t-tests for within-group and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons (p < 0.05).
Inclusion Criteria:
Participation in club-level football for at least one year.
Presence of active myofascial trigger point in gastrocnemius or soleus confirmed by palpation.
Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
Current use of muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medication.
Known bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy.
Local infection, skin lesion, or contraindication to dry needling.
Neurological or vascular disorders affecting lower limb function.
Hamza.aalyaan@gmail.com03209092006
marwa@fui.edu.pk