Effect of Dry Needling on Quadriceps Muscles Fatigue in Taekwondo Players: A Protocol for a Triple-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial Publisher



Aghajani R¹ ; Dehghani E¹ ; Khonji MS¹ ; Naghdi S^{2, 3} ; Nakhostin Ansari N⁴ ; Dommerholt J^{5, 6, 7} ; Nakhostinansari A³
Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications Published:2025

Abstract

Background: A common issue among athletes is muscle fatigue, a brief and transient reduction in the potential of skeletal muscle strength after engaging in muscular activity. A high-quality clinical investigation to evaluate the impact of dry needling (DN) on athletes’ muscle fatigue is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of DN on quadriceps muscle fatigue in taekwondo players. Methods: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted to measure changes in quadriceps muscle fatigue after DN. Eighty-eight taekwondo players who meet the eligibility criteria will be selected to receive either DN or sham needling to the quadriceps muscle after exercise. Three assessments will be performed before the exercise, after exercise fatigue, and after intervention. The outcomes measured will be isometric peak torque, single-leg hop test, and vertical jump test. Conclusions: The results of this study will provide preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of DN in improving quadriceps muscle fatigue in taekwondo players. Trial registration: IRCT20210811052141N1. © 2025 The Authors