Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Pressotherapy on Muscle Recovery After Eccentric Exercise in Physically Active Young Adults

NCT07892105 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UCJCDLMPRESO
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and passive rest on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) induced by a Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol in physically active young adults. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three recovery strategies after completing a standardized eccentric exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage. Recovery will be assessed through clinical, metabolic, functional, and anthropometric outcomes, including delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), perceived recovery status (PRS), blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and thigh circumference. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after exercise, during the acute recovery period, immediately after the assigned intervention, and during follow-up visits at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days. The study aims to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage and pressotherapy as post-exercise recovery strategies in physically active young adults.

Conditions

Young Athletes

Keywords

Manual Lymphatic drainage; Pressotherapy; Muscle recovery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Blood Lactate Concentration

  Blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured from capillary blood samples using a portable lactate analyzer. Changes in lactate concentration will be used to assess metabolic recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.

  Baseline, immediately post-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, 10 minutes post-exercise, and immediately after the recovery intervention

• Change in Countermovement Jump Performance

  Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, measured in centimeters using a validated jump assessment system. Changes in jump performance will be used as an indicator of neuromuscular recovery and lower-limb functional capacity.

  Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

  Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.

• Perceived Recovery Status

  Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.

• Change in Thigh Circumference

  Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.

Study Arms (3)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a 10-minute session of manual lymphatic drainage according to the Vodder technique following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol.

Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (Pressotherapy)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a 10-minute session of intermittent pneumatic compression using a four-chamber sequential compression device set at 90 mmHg following the exercise protocol.

Other: Intermittent Pheumatic Compression

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will remain seated at rest for 10 minutes following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol without receiving any recovery intervention.

Interventions

Manual Lymphatic Drainage OTHER

articipants will receive a standardized manual lymphatic drainage session administered by a licensed physiotherapist immediately following the fatigue-inducing protocol. The intervention will be performed according to recognized manual lymphatic drainage techniques, with the aim of facilitating fluid mobilization and enhancing post-exercise recovery.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Intermittent Pheumatic Compression OTHER

Participants will receive a session of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy immediately following the exercise-induced fatigue protocol. Treatment will be administered using a pneumatic compression device with sequential inflation and deflation cycles applied to the lower limbs.

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (Pressotherapy)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 30 years.
• Physically active according to the World Health Organization recommendations.
• Able to understand and follow study procedures.
• Willing to provide written informed consent.
• Able to attend all assessment sessions.
• No lower-limb musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or neuromuscular disorders.
• Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting the lower limbs.
• Lower-limb surgery within the previous 6 months.
• Current use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle recovery medications.
• Participation in vigorous exercise within 24 hours prior to baseline assessment.
• Receipt of physiotherapy, manual lymphatic drainage, or pressotherapy treatment within the previous month.
• Contraindications to manual lymphatic drainage or intermittent pneumatic compression.
• Inability to comply with study procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Camilo Jose Cela University: lead

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Drainage; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Edurne Úbeda, Doctor

  Camilo Jose Cela University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Doctor

CONTACT

+34 8153131; eubeda@ucjc.edu

Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Dcotor

CONTACT

+34 8153131; eubeda@ucjc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2026
• First Posted: October 23, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 26, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 16, 2027
• Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share