Evaluation of the Effectiveness of TECAR and Vibration Therapy as Methods Supporting Muscle Recovery After Strenuous Eccentric Exercise

<b>Background/Objectives</b>. Despite growing interest in capacitive-resistive electric transfer TECAR) and Vibration therapy (VT), their comparative effectiveness in sports recovery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and contrast the short-term effects of TECAR and VT on neuromuscular recovery following eccentric muscle fatigue, relative to passive rest, in active young adults. We hypothesized that both interventions would accelerate recovery and potentially reduce injury risk. <b>Methods</b>. Forty-one participants were randomized into two groups: TECAR therapy (Group 1) and VT (Group 2). Neuromuscular function was assessed at baseline, post-exercise, and post-intervention using tensiomyography (TMG) and electromyography (EMG). <b>Results</b>. Both groups showed a significant increase in EMG MDF intercept after exercise. Post-intervention, VT induced a further rise in this parameter, whereas TECAR stabilized values without significant change. In the contralateral resting limb, increases persisted after exercise and passive recovery. Between-limb differences were significant only in the TECAR group. TMG analysis revealed a non-significant but large-effect increase in contraction delay (Td) post-exercise, followed by significant reductions after both interventions. In the left limb, Td changes were not significant. For maximal displacement (Dm), both VMO and VLO muscles demonstrated a significant decrease post-exercise and a marked recovery after both therapies. Other TMG parameters (Ts, Tc, Tr) showed no significant changes. <b>Conclusions</b>. Both TECAR and VT effectively enhanced neuromuscular recovery after eccentric exercise. TECAR demonstrated a modest but consistent advantage, particularly in normalizing muscle recruitment and restoring mechanical properties, making it suitable in contexts requiring rapid recovery. VT, however, remains a more accessible and cost-effective modality. These findings support the application of both techniques in sports recovery, while highlighting the need for further research in professional athletes and diverse exercise settings to optimize regeneration strategies and reduce injury risk.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-09-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14186648
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Muscle activation and electromyography studies
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article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.67
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article

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of TECAR and Vibration Therapy as Methods Supporting Muscle Recovery After Strenuous Eccentric Exercise

Paweł Reichert, Maciej Kuchciak, Zofia Dzięcioł-Anikiej, Martyna Sopa et al.
1 citations
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Muscle activation and electromyography studies
0.67
article

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of TECAR and Vibration Therapy as Methods Supporting Muscle Recovery After Strenuous Eccentric Exercise

Paweł Reichert, Maciej Kuchciak, Zofia Dzięcioł-Anikiej, Martyna Sopa, Artur Stolarczyk, Olga Adamska, Łukasz Oleksy, Miłosz Szczudło, Anna Mika, Maciej Daszkiewicz, Renata Kielnar
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>. Despite growing interest in capacitive-resistive electric transfer TECAR) and Vibration therapy (VT), their comparative effectiveness in sports recovery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and contrast the short-term effects of TECAR and VT on neuromuscular recovery following eccentric muscle fatigue, relative to passive rest, in active young adults. We hypothesized that both interventions would accelerate recovery and potentially reduce injury risk. <b>Methods</b>. Forty-one participants were randomized into two groups: TECAR therapy (Group 1) and VT (Group 2). Neuromuscular function was assessed at baseline, post-exercise, and post-intervention using tensiomyography (TMG) and electromyography (EMG). <b>Results</b>. Both groups showed a significant increase in EMG MDF intercept after exercise. Post-intervention, VT induced a further rise in this parameter, whereas TECAR stabilized values without significant change. In the contralateral resting limb, increases persisted after exercise and passive recovery. Between-limb differences were significant only in the TECAR group. TMG analysis revealed a non-significant but large-effect increase in contraction delay (Td) post-exercise, followed by significant reductions after both interventions. In the left limb, Td changes were not significant. For maximal displacement (Dm), both VMO and VLO muscles demonstrated a significant decrease post-exercise and a marked recovery after both therapies. Other TMG parameters (Ts, Tc, Tr) showed no significant changes. <b>Conclusions</b>. Both TECAR and VT effectively enhanced neuromuscular recovery after eccentric exercise. TECAR demonstrated a modest but consistent advantage, particularly in normalizing muscle recruitment and restoring mechanical properties, making it suitable in contexts requiring rapid recovery. VT, however, remains a more accessible and cost-effective modality. These findings support the application of both techniques in sports recovery, while highlighting the need for further research in professional athletes and diverse exercise settings to optimize regeneration strategies and reduce injury risk.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(18)
Medical University of Białystok (PL), University School of Physical Education in Kraków (PL), Medical University of Warsaw (PL), Wroclaw Medical University (PL), Poznań University of Technology (PL), Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (PL), University of Rzeszów (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 27%
Muscle activation and electromyography studies
0.67
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