Manual lymphatic drainage for faster recovery in female 11-a-side football players
Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Muscle Fatigue in Female 11-a-side Football Players
This test will see if manual lymphatic drainage after exercise helps female 11-a-side football players recover faster from muscle fatigue.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 11 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years to 20 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Camilo Jose Cela University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Madrid) |
| Trial ID | NCT07274033 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional crossover protocol enrolls female 11-a-side football players aged 16–20 who complete a standardized fatigue protocol. After induced fatigue measured with a linear encoder, participants attend three sessions where they receive manual lymphatic drainage or control conditions while performance is tracked with guided machine squats to a 20% velocity loss. Thigh circumference, subjective recovery ratings, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index data are collected to monitor fluid shifts, perceived fatigue, emotional state, and sleep influence. The trial aims to quantify effects of MLD on neuromuscular recovery, muscle edema, and perceived fatigue to inform non-invasive individualized recovery strategies for women's football.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Female 11-a-side football players aged 16–20 who train at least three times per week, have no recent lower-limb injury or contraindication to MLD, and can attend all three sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Players with active lower-limb infection, recent surgery, pregnancy, a history of deep vein thrombosis, decompensated heart failure, or other contraindications to MLD are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, manual lymphatic drainage could speed neuromuscular recovery and reduce muscle swelling and perceived fatigue, helping players return to training sooner and possibly lowering injury risk.
How similar studies have performed: Some small studies and clinical experience show MLD can reduce swelling and improve comfort in postoperative and lymphedema patients, but evidence for accelerating neuromuscular recovery in athletes is limited and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female athletes actively participating in 11-a-side football, either federated or official team members. * Age ≥ 16 years to 20 years old. * Regular training (≥ 3 sessions per week) or active competition * No food intake within 3 hours prior to evaluation (to standardize the influence of digestion on performance). * No acute lower limb injury in the past 3 months. * Availability to attend all three study visits. * Signed informed consent; for participants under 18, parental consent is also required. Exclusion Criteria: * History of deep vein thrombosis * Decompensated heart failure * Active lower limb infection * Pregnancy * Recent lower limb surgery (\< 3 months), or any medical contraindication to receiving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). * Failure to comply with the fasting requirement prior to performance testing.
Where this trial is running
Madrid
- University of Camilo José Cela — Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Edurne Úbeda Docasar, Doctor — University Camilo José Cela
- Study coordinator: Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Doctor
- Email: eubeda@ucjc.edu
- Phone: +34 8153131
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.