Effect of Trigger Point Cryostimulation on Exercise-Induced Tremor in Adolescent Swimmers

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physiological Tremor; Exercise-Induced Neuromuscular Fatigue

Treatments: Procedure: Cryostimulation of Myofascial Trigger Points

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07480200

CRYO-TREMOR-2024

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study examines whether local cryostimulation of myofascial trigger points can reduce physiological tremor that occurs after intense physical exercise. Thirty-four adolescent competitive swimmers participate in a randomized crossover study comparing two conditions: local ice stimulation of trigger points and a control condition without intervention. Physiological tremor of the lower limbs is measured using accelerometry before and after a 30-second maximal tethered swimming effort. The study aims to determine whether targeted cryostimulation can attenuate exercise-induced neuromuscular tremor and improve post-exercise motor stability in young athletes.

Full description

This study investigates whether targeted cryostimulation of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) can attenuate exercise-induced physiological tremor in adolescent swimmers. The study uses a randomized reversed crossover design in which each participant completes two experimental conditions: local cryostimulation of identified trigger points and a control condition without intervention.

Thirty-four competitive adolescent swimmers participate in the study. Physiological tremor of both lower limbs is measured using triaxial accelerometry under standardized conditions before and after a maximal 30-second tethered swimming effort.

In the cryostimulation condition, cold packs are applied for 60 seconds to identified myofascial trigger points in the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups. In the control condition, no cryostimulation is applied prior to exercise.

The primary outcome is the change in tremor power in the 2-5 Hz frequency band following exercise. Secondary outcomes include tremor power in the 9-14 Hz frequency band and tremor frequency parameters. Tremor signals are analyzed using frequency-domain analysis based on power spectral density calculations derived from accelerometer data.

The aim of the study is to determine whether localized cryostimulation of myofascial trigger points can modulate neuromuscular responses to fatigue and reduce the magnitude of exercise-induced tremor in adolescent athletes.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 10 to 16 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• - Competitive adolescent swimmers
• Age between 10 and 16 years
• Regular participation in swimming training (at least 3 training sessions per week)
• No current musculoskeletal injury affecting the lower limbs
• Ability to perform maximal swimming effort
• Written informed consent from participants and their legal guardians

Exclusion criteria

• - Current lower limb injury or pain
• Neurological disorders affecting motor control
• Contraindications to cold exposure or cryotherapy
• Participation in other interventions that could affect neuromuscular performance

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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34 participants in 2 patient groups

Cryostimulation of Myofascial Trigger Points

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive local cryostimulation of identified myofascial trigger points in the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Cold packs are applied for 60 seconds to the trigger points before performing a 30-second maximal tethered swimming effort. Physiological tremor of the lower limbs is measured before and after exercise using accelerometry.

Treatment:

Procedure: Cryostimulation of Myofascial Trigger Points

Control Condition (No Cryostimulation)

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants complete the same experimental protocol without cryostimulation. After baseline tremor assessment, participants perform a 30-second maximal tethered swimming effort. No cooling intervention is applied before exercise. Physiological tremor of the lower limbs is measured before and after exercise using accelerometry under the same conditions as in the experimental arm.