EFFECT OF DRY NEEDLING ASSOCIATED WITH ECCENTRIC EXERCISE ON PAIN AND GRIP STRENGTH IN AMATEUR PADEL ATHLETES WITH LATERAL ELBOW PAIN.

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15951525260615

• Palavras-chave: Muscle Strength Dynamometer, Lateral epicondylitis, Racquet sports, Pain threshold.

• Keywords: Muscle Strength Dynamometer, Lateral epicondylitis, Racquet sports, Pain threshold.

• Abstract:

  Padel is a high-intensity racket sport, with repetitive gestures that can predispose amateur athletes to lateral epicondylitis, the most common injury in the sport. This case series study evaluated whether the combination of dry needling with eccentric exercises reduces pain and improves grip strength in amateur athletes with lateral elbow pain in Santa Maria - RS. Data was collected from 12 athletes using the Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire (PRTEE), pressure algometry and handgrip dynamometry. After the intervention, the average PRTEE score decreased from 43.2 to 28.4 points, the pressure pain threshold increased from 5.6 kg to 6.7 kg, and grip strength varied from 50.6 kg to 49.2 kg. The results indicate that the intervention reduced pain and increased the pressure pain threshold, but did not improve grip strength. Randomized controlled trials are needed to strengthen the evidence on the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.