Immediate effects of dry needling on calf pain, sprint speed, and functional performance in amateur football players
Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player
This test will see if a single session of dry needling, compared with a sham procedure, can immediately reduce calf muscle pain and improve sprint speed and single-leg hop in amateur football players aged 18–25.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Foundation University Islamabad Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Islamabad, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07525921 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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).
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Amateur club football players aged 18–25 with an active myofascial trigger point in the gastrocnemius or soleus and no contraindications to needling.
Not a fit: Those with recent calf muscle tears, prior lower-limb surgery, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use, active local infection, or other neurological/vascular conditions are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a quick, low-cost way to reduce calf trigger-point pain and temporarily improve sprint and hop performance after one session.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown short-term pain reduction with dry needling for myofascial trigger points, but evidence for immediate improvements in sprint speed and functional performance is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Islamabad, Punjab Province
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.