Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Muscle Fatigue in Female 11-a-side Football Players
Camilo Jose Cela University
11 participants
Nov 17, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in accelerating recovery following induced fatigue in female football players. The study integrates objective performance measurements using linear encoders with anthropometric assessments and psychophysiological evaluations. It aims to quantify the impact of MLD on neuromuscular recovery, muscle edema, and perceived fatigue, considering sex-specific physiological factors and the influence of sleep and psychological stress. The findings will contribute to developing non-invasive, individualized recovery strategies to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in women's football.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Female athletes actively participating in 11-a-side football, either federated or official team members.
- Age ≥ 16 years to 20 years old.
- Regular training (≥ 3 sessions per week) or active competition
- No food intake within 3 hours prior to evaluation (to standardize the influence of digestion on performance).
- No acute lower limb injury in the past 3 months.
- Availability to attend all three study visits.
- Signed informed consent; for participants under 18, parental consent is also required.
Exclusion Criteria6
- History of deep vein thrombosis
- Decompensated heart failure
- Active lower limb infection
- Pregnancy
- Recent lower limb surgery (\< 3 months), or any medical contraindication to receiving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).
- Failure to comply with the fasting requirement prior to performance testing.
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Interventions
This method, part of complex decongestive physiotherapy, involves gentle massage techniques that stimulate lymphatic circulation and venous return. MLD promotes lymph fluid mobilization, increases lymphangiomotor activity, and has positive effects on the immune system. Its application has shown to reduce limb edema, decrease muscle fatigue, and raise pain thresholds. Moreover, the gentle touch during MLD activates cutaneous receptors that influence the parasympathetic nervous system, producing physiological changes such as reduced heart rate, blood pressure modulation, and increased muscle strength.
Locations(1)
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NCT07274033