Effects of Auriculotherapy on Muscle Fatigue: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Objective: This study aimed investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity (EMG).

Methods: Design: Randomized Crossover Trial. The sample consisted of 18 males' volunteers who exercised at least twice a week.

The Sample Was Randomly Assigned To Two Groups: Placebo Group (n = 9) and Treated Group (n = 9), and after seven days, the groups were crossed. The data analysis included 18 participants in each group.

Main Outcome Measure: The muscle fatigue index, force production rate, and EMG of the quadriceps were used for evaluation. The evaluation moments included baseline pre-fatigue, baseline post-fatigue, 48 h post-intervention pre-fatigue, and 48 h post-intervention post-fatigue. Mixed two-way test ANOVA was used to compare times and groups.

Results: The fatigue index for peak torque and work showed no significant effect on time, groups, or interaction (p > 0.05). However, for isometric torque, force production rate, and EMG median frequency and average, the results indicate a positive change in values over time (p < 0.05) (with little practical relevance), with no differences observed between the groups or interaction (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: In conclusion, auriculotherapy had no effect on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity.