Evaluation of Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Eccentric Exercise and Recovery Enhancement Using Capacitive–Resistive Electric Transfer and Vibration Therapy
<b>Background:</b> Although Capacitive-Resistive Electric Transfer (TECAR) and vibration therapy (VT) are increasingly used in sports recovery, their effects on muscle oxygenation remain unclear. <b>Objectives:</b> This study compared the short-term influence of TECAR and VT on muscle oxygenation following eccentric exercise in young, active adults. We hypothesized that both interventions would support early metabolic recovery, as reflected by changes in muscle oxygenation, and potentially reduce the risk of musculoskeletal overuse. <b>Methods:</b> Forty-one young, recreationally active adults (age: 19 ± 2 years; height: 168 ± 9 cm; body mass: 63 ± 13 kg) were randomized into two groups: TECAR therapy and VT. Muscle oxygenation was assessed at baseline, post-exercise, and post-intervention using the arterial occlusion method with a MOXY muscle oxygenation monitor (Fortiori Design LLC, USA). The primary variables were mVO<sub>2</sub> (muscle oxygen consumption), ΔSmO<sub>2</sub> (change in oxygen saturation during occlusion), and ΔtHb (change in hemoglobin level during occlusion). Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests, and statistical significance was set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Eccentric exercise significantly reduced mVO<sub>2</sub> in both groups (VT: -0.18 ± 0.40 to -1.62 ± 0.70; TECAR: -0.12 ± 0.40 to -1.24 ± 0.70), indicating decreased metabolic demand. Following recovery, mVO<sub>2</sub> increased in both groups (VT: -0.86 ± 0.50; TECAR: -0.35 ± 0.40), with no significant between-group differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05). ΔSmO<sub>2</sub> also decreased after exercise (VT: -0.7 ± 0.4 to -3.2 ± 0.9; TECAR: -0.9 ± 0.6 to -3.45 ± 0.7). After recovery, ΔSmO<sub>2</sub> partially returned to baseline (VT: -2.6 ± 0.8; TECAR: -1.35 ± 0.4), with no significant between-group differences. ΔtHb increased following exercise in both groups (VT: 0.03 ± 0.04 to 0.13 ± 0.09; TECAR: 0.03 ± 0.04 to 0.15 ± 0.07) and decreased after recovery to similar levels (VT: -0.05 ± 0.05; TECAR: -0.06 ± 0.04; <i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> Both TECAR and VT were associated with improved muscle oxygenation during early recovery after eccentric exercise, as reflected by increases in mVO<sub>2</sub> and comparable ΔtHb responses. Although ΔSmO<sub>2</sub> tended to decrease more after VT, this difference was not statistically significant and should be interpreted cautiously. Overall, both modalities appear to be effective recovery-supporting strategies, while further controlled studies are needed to clarify their role in different athletic populations and exercise contexts.
Authors
- Maciej Kuchciak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3779-4444)
- Zofia Dzięcioł-Anikiej (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-2321)
- Martyna Sopa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6454-2587)
- Miłosz Szczudło
- Anna Mika (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4366-5091)
- Maciej Daszkiewicz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0135-2696)
- Renata Kielnar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1355-2010)
- Artur Stolarczyk
- Łukasz Oleksy
- Olga Adamska
Institutions
- University of Szczecin (PL)
- 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)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-01-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020794
- Primary Topic
- Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00