The Effects of Percussion Therapy (Theragun™) on Recovery from Contraction-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly Trained Participants

Authors

Maja Gebauer, University of New Mexico - Main CampusFollow
Oscar Chavez Jr., University of New MexicoFollow
Jonathan W. Specht, University of Northern IowaFollow
Whitley C. Atkins, University of New Mexico, Department of Health, Exercise & Sports ScienceFollow
Christine M. Mermier, University of New MexicoFollow
Michael Deyhle, University of New Mexico - Main CampusFollow

Abstract

The Effects of Percussion Therapy (Theragun™) on Recovery from Contraction-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly Trained Participants

MAJA GEBAUER, OSCAR CHAVEZ JR., JONATHAN W. SPECHT, WHITLEY C. ATKINS CHRISTINE MERMIER & MICHAEL R. DEYHLE

Exercise Science Laboratory; Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences; University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM

Category: Doctoral

Advisor / Mentor: Deyhle, Michael (mdeyhle@unm.edu)

ABSTRACT

The impacts of percussion therapy on athletes is not fully understood. PURPOSE: Investigate the effects of a two-minute treatment with a percussion gun (Theragun™) on muscle soreness, ROM, and strength performance following eccentric exercise of the hamstring muscles in highly trained individuals. METHODS: Eleven highly trained participants, (6 males, 5 females; age: 23 ± 6 years) completed a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study. Participants underwent a damaging, eccentric exercise protocol consisting of 10 sets of 10 maximal eccentric knee extensions on a Biodex dynamometer at 30°/s. Immediately post-exercise, participants were randomly assigned to either the percussion therapy (T) group receiving 2-minute Theragun treatment or sham (S) group receiving fake "magnet therapy." Dependent variables assessed at baseline, immediately post-exercise, post-treatment, and 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise included: muscle soreness (0-100 mm visual analog scale), ROM (goniometer), isokinetic knee flexor strength at 60°/s and 180°/s, single-leg broad jump performance, and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. RESULTS: A significantly greater baseline level of soreness was observed in the sham group (T: 7.67 mm; S: 37.00 mm, p=0.0098). No significant differences were observed between groups for muscle soreness at any post-exercise time points. ROM was significantly lower in the T group compared to the S group at immediately post-exercise (p=0.0259) and 24-hours post-exercise (p=0.0398). No significant differences in strength recovery, broad jump performance, or CK activity were observed between groups at any time point. However, moderate effect sizes (0.53-0.57) were observed for broad jump performance favoring the sham group at most post-exercise timepoints. Two participants in the T group exhibited elevated CK levels (>11,000 U/L) at 72 hours post-exercise. CONCLUSION: A single 2-minute Theragun™ treatment immediately post-exercise did not provide significant benefits for reducing muscle soreness, improving strength recovery, or enhancing ROM in highly trained athletes following exercise-induced muscle damage. Contrary to expectations, percussion therapy resulted in reduced flexibility during early recovery and potentially impaired explosive power performance.

Recommended Citation

Gebauer, Maja; Chavez, Oscar Jr.; Specht, Jonathan W.; Atkins, Whitley C.; Mermier, Christine M.; and Deyhle, Michael (2025) "The Effects of Percussion Therapy (Theragun™) on Recovery from Contraction-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly Trained Participants," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 99.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/99