Immediate effects of dry needling on calf pain, sprint speed, and functional performance in amateur football players

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group trial comparing one session of dry needling to a non-penetrating sham procedure in amateur club football players with active gastrocnemius or soleus myofascial trigger points. Baseline measures include pressure pain threshold (handheld algometer), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, shuttle-run sprint speed, and single-leg hop distance, with the same measures taken immediately after the intervention. Needling uses sterile single-use filiform needles retained about 10 minutes with fast in/out pistoning to elicit local twitch responses; the sham mimics the procedure without skin penetration. Data will be analyzed in SPSS v27 using paired t-tests for within-group and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons (p < 0.05).

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Amateur football players aged 18-25 years.

Participation in club-level football for at least one year.

Presence of active myofascial trigger point in gastrocnemius or soleus confirmed by palpation.

Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of calf muscle tear, fracture, or lower limb surgery.

Current use of muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medication.

Known bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy.

Local infection, skin lesion, or contraindication to dry needling.

Neurological or vascular disorders affecting lower limb function.

Where it's running

• Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
  Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hamza Aliyan, DPT — Foundation University Islamabad
• Study coordinator: Hamza Aliyan, DPT
• Email: Hamza.aalyaan@gmail.com
• Phone: 03209092006

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.