キネシオテーピングとグラストンアプリケーションの効果比較：遅発性筋肉痛を有する個人を対象として

アクティブコンパレータ：キネシオテーピング

キネシオテーピングを適用する対象者のグループ。

他の：kinesio taping

In this study, a lymphatic Kinesio taping technique was applied over the quadriceps femoris muscle. Two 5-cm-wide Kinesio tapes were cut to an appropriate length according to the dimensions of the target area. Each tape was prepared in a fan-cut configuration consisting of an uncut base and five longitudinal tails. The base was applied proximally near the inguinal lymph nodes without tension. The five tails were then applied over the quadriceps femoris with approximately 15% tension, while the terminal portions of the tails were applied without tension. The application was performed with the participant in the supine position and the quadriceps muscle relaxed.

実験的：グラストンテクニック

グラストンテクニックの適用を受ける個人のグループ。

他の：Graston Technique

The Graston technique, a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, was applied using a stainless-steel instrument and baby oil as a lubricant. Participants were positioned supine with the quadriceps femoris relaxed. The convex surface of the instrument was applied sequentially over the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis muscles in a cranial-to-caudal direction. Each muscle was treated for 2 minutes, resulting in a total treatment duration of 6 minutes per session. The first session was performed immediately after the post-DOMS pre-intervention assessment, and the second session was performed 24 hours later.

介入なし：コントロール

自然回復プロセス

Visual Analog Scale

Pain severity was assessed using a 10-cm horizontal Visual Analog Scale (VAS), anchored by 0 ("no pain") and 10 ("worst imaginable pain"). Participants were asked to mark the point on the line that best represented their perceived pain intensity. The distance from the 0 anchor to the marked point was measured in centimetres using a ruler, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity. Pain was assessed separately at rest and during the squat task.

Peak Squat Force

Peak squat force was assessed using the K-Force Plates (K-Invent®, France). Participants performed single-leg squats on the exercised dominant lower extremity to approximately 90-100° of knee flexion. Three 10-second trials were performed, with a 60-second rest period between trials. Participants were instructed to perform as many squat repetitions as possible while maintaining proper technique. Peak squat force recorded during the task was used for analysis.

Response Time

Lower-extremity response time was assessed using the BlazePod™ system (Play Coyotta Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel), a light-based visual stimulus system with reported test-retest reliability for response-time assessment. Participants performed the test in a seated position. Following a visual light stimulus, they were instructed to touch the illuminated pod as quickly as possible using the exercised lower extremity. The time between presentation of the visual stimulus and contact with the pod was recorded by the system. Mean response time, expressed in milliseconds (ms), was used for analysis, with lower values indicating faster responses.

Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂)

Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) was measured using a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device (Train.Red, The Netherlands). The sensor was positioned over the rectus femoris muscle of the dominant lower extremity and secured using the strap provided with the device. The sensor position was standardized across assessments to ensure consistent placement. Muscle oxygen saturation was recorded during a 30-second unilateral squat task, and the mean SmO₂ (%) value obtained during the task was used for analysis.