The effects of acupuncture and instruction on post-exercise recovery in healthy adults

Participants will attend a single 2hr session before which they will be required to abstain from alcohol and moderate-to-intense exercise for 24hrs and cigarettes and caffeine for 4hrs. Upon screening participants will have their height and weight taken for further analysis including calculating Body mass index (BMI). Participants will be instructed to lie in a supine position on a plinth for 15 min, prior to the performing of the exercise protocol, to evaluate resting metabolic parameters, and to establish a standardised baseline condition. Following 15 min of supine rest, participants will perform a graded exercise test to volitional fatigue on an electronically braked cycle ergometer (Velotron, Racermate, Boulder, CO, USA) using a ramped protocol to be consistent with previous similar research. The cycle ergometer is initially set to 0 Watts (W), with increments thereafter set at 15 W/min. The participant will also be required to maintain their pedal rate at 60 revolutions per min (RPM). The exercise test will be terminated if : (1) The participant can no longer maintain a minimum cadence of 60 revolutions per min (RPM) or if the subject requests to terminate the testing. Upon completion of exercise, the participant will be told which treatment they have been allocated to receive (real acupuncture, placebo acupuncture or control). An experienced acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine delivered the traditional acupuncture treatment. The primary acupuncture points included PC6, ST36, LU7, and REN17. PC6 is located on the anterior aspect of the forearm, between the tendons of the palmaris longus and the flexor carpi radialis, 2 cun proximal to the palmar wrist crease. ST36 is on the anterior aspect of the leg, on the line connecting. LU7 is on the radial aspect of the forearm, between the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis muscle, in the groove for the abductor pollicis longus tendon, 1.5B-cun superior to the palmar wrist crease. REN17 is located on the anterior thoracic region, at the same level as the fourth intercostal space, on the anterior median line. PC6 and ST6 both appear to have consistent regulatory effects on cardiovascular function. LU7 is a classic point for promoting lung function. REN17 is indicated for regulating Qi in the chest and treating breathlessness. PC6, ST36, and LU7 have been used in previous research showing effects of acupuncture on exercise recovery and exercise capacity. Single-use disposable stainless steel needles (0.25 x 40mm for body acupuncture) were used. Acupuncture needles were inserted to tissue level and stimulated manually (3x180 rotations of approximately 3Hz) when the participant assumed the supine recovery position. The needles were stimulated after 10 min of needle retention and upon removal at 20 min of total needle retention, the participant will then rest for a further 40 mins (resting for a total of 60mins). While the participant may be told they are recieveing real acupuncture expectancy is being controlled by being randomised into; 1.Acupuncture with high expectancy (AH). Participants randomised to this group received traditional acupuncture treatment and were informed that they were receiving traditional acupuncture treatment. 2.Acupuncture with low expectancy (AL). Participants randomised to this group received traditional acupuncture treatment but were informed that they were receiving placebo acupuncture.