[Effect of acupoint-catgut implantation on the physical agility of professional athletes].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the impact of acupoint-catgut implantation on physical agility of athletes and to probe into its underlying mechanism.


METHODS
A total of 68 volunteer athletes were recruited in the present study. Sixteen rowers of China National Women's Racing Boat Team (CNWRBT) underwent comparative observation between pre- and post-treatment with acupoint-catgut implantation. Fifty-two athletes from Zhejiang Heavy Athletics Events Team (HAET) and Sand-beach Volleyball Team (SBVT) were randomized into control (n = 26) and treatment (n = 26) groups which were treated with massage (20 mm, once daily for 1 year), and catgut implantation at Guanyuan (CV 4), Mingmen (GV 4), etc. (once every two weeks), respectively. In the later group, after 6 times of treatment, the catgut implantation was given once a month, continuously for 1 year. Serum testosterone and plasma hemoglobin (Hb) levels were detected before, 1.5 mon, 3 mon, 6 mon and 12 mon after the treatment, respectively.


RESULTS
1) Compared with pre-treatment, the 2 000 m ergometer time was shortened significantly (P < 0.01), and serum testosterone and plasma hemoglobin (Hb) levels were increased evidently in 16 volunteer rowers of CNWRBT after 3 months' acupoint-catgut implantation treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 2) In comparison with control group and pre-treatment, the midium- and long-distance running scores of the athletes of Zhejiang HAET and SBVT were elevated considerably (P < 0.01), serum testosterone and plasma Hb levels increased significantly (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupoint-catgut implantation can significantly improve the athletes' anti-fatigue exercise capacity, enhance their physical agility to elevate their athletics events score, which may be closely related to its effects in raising blood testosterone and hemoglobin levels.
Chen
Yong-Zhen
YZ
The Sport Hospital of Zhejiang Vocational and Technical College, Hangzhou 311231, China. sporthosp_cyz@yahoo.com.cn
Yang
Jian-Min
JM
Wei
Liu-Jiao
LJ
Zhang
Jun-Jie
JJ
Han
Li-Wen
LW
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D002398:Catgut; D002681:China; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins; D013739:Testosterone