A double blind randomized control trial was performed to clarify the effects of acupuncture using a press needle on muscle pain, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle stiffness that resulted from running a marathon race. Sham press needles (placebo needles), which have the same package but without a needle tip, were developed by the acupuncture study authors. The subjects were 15 university students who participated in a marathon for the first time. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: the real acupuncture group and the placebo acupuncture group.
Both the real and the sham needles were applied to eight traditional Chinese acupoints in the lower limbs. They were applied before the start of the race and removed five days after the race.
Physical and biochemical examinations to determine the degree of muscle pain, CK activity, LDH isozyme, body flexion in standing position and muscle hardness were evaluated three times-before the start, after the finish, and five days after the finish.
Result: 1) The real acupuncture group showed less muscle pain than the placebo acupuncture group. 2) CK activity and LDH4-5 showed higher levels after the finish than before the start, but no significant difference was obtained among the groups. 3) No significant difference in time course change of the body flexion was obtained among the groups. 4) Hardness of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis showed higher levels after the finish than before the start, but no significant difference was obtained among the groups.

[Objective]To investigate whether acupuncture is effective to prevent fatigue and oxidative stress in distance runners.
[Methods]A total of 17 runners were recruited and randomized to receive acupuncture (Press Tack Needle) or placebo treatment. Subjects received treatment from licensed acupuncturists before a 10 km race. The primary outcome measures were oxidative stress, as determined by electron spin resonance (ESR), and fatigue, as assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were GOT, LDH, and CPK.
[Results]Fatigue was significantly increased in both groups after the race. There was no difference in both groups.
Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity tended to increase in both groups after the race.
[Conclusion]The study found no useful acupuncture aspects of oxidative stress and fatigue.