Young AthletesLYMPH-RECNCT07892105
Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Pressotherapy on Muscle Recovery After Eccentric Exercise in Physically Active Young Adults
A study testing Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Intermittent Pheumatic Compression in people with Young Athletes, run by Camilo Jose Cela University.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and passive rest on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) induced by a Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol in physically active young adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Young Athletes
- What is being tested?
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Intermittent Pheumatic Compression
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 16 Nov 2026to 16 Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 and 30 years.
- Physically active according to the World Health Organization recommendations.
- Able to understand and follow study procedures.
- Willing to provide written informed consent.
- Able to attend all assessment sessions.
- No lower-limb musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months
Who cannot join
- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or neuromuscular disorders.
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting the lower limbs.
- Lower-limb surgery within the previous 6 months.
- Current use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle recovery medications.
- Participation in vigorous exercise within 24 hours prior to baseline assessment.
- Receipt of physiotherapy, manual lymphatic drainage, or pressotherapy treatment within the previous month.
- Contraindications to manual lymphatic drainage or intermittent pneumatic compression.
- Inability to comply with study procedures.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Pressotherapy Compared With Passive Rest on Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Physically Active Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and passive rest on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) induced by a Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol in physically active young adults.
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three recovery strategies after completing a standardized eccentric exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage. Recovery will be assessed through clinical, metabolic, functional, and anthropometric outcomes, including delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), perceived recovery status (PRS), blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and thigh circumference. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after exercise, during the acute recovery period, immediately after the assigned intervention, and during follow-up visits at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days.
The study aims to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage and pressotherapy as post-exercise recovery strategies in physically active young adults.
Read the detailed description
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common physiological response to strenuous or unaccustomed exercise, particularly when eccentric muscle contractions predominate. EIMD is characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, temporary reductions in muscle function and performance, inflammatory responses, and biochemical alterations. Despite representing a normal adaptive process, EIMD may temporarily impair physical performance and recovery.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) are widely used passive recovery strategies intended to enhance lymphatic and venous return, facilitate metabolite clearance, and reduce post-exercise discomfort. Although previous studies suggest potential benefits for symptom recovery and lactate clearance, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains inconsistent, particularly in physically active non-athlete populations.
This randomized controlled trial will investigate the comparative effects of manual lymphatic drainage, intermittent pneumatic compression, and passive rest following a standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol designed to induce exercise-induced muscle damage. Outcome measures will include blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump performance, delayed-onset muscle soreness, perceived recovery status, and thigh circumference.
The findings may help determine whether these passive recovery interventions provide clinically meaningful benefits compared with passive rest and contribute to evidence-based recommendations for post-exercise recovery
- Conditions
- Young Athletes
- Being tested
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Intermittent Pheumatic Compression
- Keywords
- Manual Lymphatic drainage, Pressotherapy, Muscle recovery
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Manual Lymphatic DrainageOther
articipants will receive a standardized manual lymphatic drainage session administered by a licensed physiotherapist immediately following the fatigue-inducing protocol. The intervention will be performed according to recognized manual lymphatic drainage techniques, with the aim of facilitating fluid mobilization and enhancing post-exercise recovery.
Intermittent Pheumatic CompressionOther
Participants will receive a session of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy immediately following the exercise-induced fatigue protocol. Treatment will be administered using a pneumatic compression device with sequential inflation and deflation cycles applied to the lower limbs.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) | Experimental | Participants will receive a 10-minute session of manual lymphatic drainage according to the Vodder technique following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol. Receives: Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage |
| Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (Pressotherapy) | Active comparator | Participants will receive a 10-minute session of intermittent pneumatic compression using a four-chamber sequential compression device set at 90 mmHg following the exercise protocol. Receives: Other: Intermittent Pheumatic Compression |
| Control group | No intervention | Participants will remain seated at rest for 10 minutes following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol without receiving any recovery intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Blood Lactate Concentration
Blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured from capillary blood samples using a portable lactate analyzer. Changes in lactate concentration will be used to assess metabolic recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, 10 minutes post-exercise, and immediately after the recovery intervention
Change in Countermovement Jump Performance
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, measured in centimeters using a validated jump assessment system. Changes in jump performance will be used as an indicator of neuromuscular recovery and lower-limb functional capacity.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
Muscle soreness assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no soreness and 10 indicates maximal soreness.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Perceived Recovery Status
Recovery status assessed using the Perceived Recovery Status Scale (PRS), with higher scores indicating a greater subjective perception of recovery.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Change in Thigh Circumference
Thigh circumference (cm) measured at a standardized anatomical location to evaluate potential changes associated with exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Oct 2026
- Study start16 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion26 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion16 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Young AthletesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Camilo Jose Cela University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Camilo Jose Cela University
- Investigators
- Edurne Úbeda, Doctor, Principal investigator, Camilo Jose Cela University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07892105
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UCJCDLMPRESO
- Acronym
- LYMPH-REC
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Pressotherapy Compared With Passive Rest on Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Physically Active Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07892105
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LYMPH-REC / UCJCDLMPRESO
- Conditions
- Young Athletes
- Keywords
- Manual Lymphatic drainage, Pressotherapy, Muscle recovery
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Camilo Jose Cela UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 16 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 26 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 16 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), and passive rest on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) induced by a Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol in physically active young adults.
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three recovery strategies after completing a standardized eccentric exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage. Recovery will be assessed through clinical, metabolic, functional, and anthropometric outcomes, including delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), perceived recovery status (PRS), blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and thigh circumference. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after exercise, during the acute recovery period, immediately after the assigned intervention, and during follow-up visits at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days.
The study aims to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage and pressotherapy as post-exercise recovery strategies in physically active young adults.
Detailed description
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common physiological response to strenuous or unaccustomed exercise, particularly when eccentric muscle contractions predominate. EIMD is characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, temporary reductions in muscle function and performance, inflammatory responses, and biochemical alterations. Despite representing a normal adaptive process, EIMD may temporarily impair physical performance and recovery.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) are widely used passive recovery strategies intended to enhance lymphatic and venous return, facilitate metabolite clearance, and reduce post-exercise discomfort. Although previous studies suggest potential benefits for symptom recovery and lactate clearance, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains inconsistent, particularly in physically active non-athlete populations.
This randomized controlled trial will investigate the comparative effects of manual lymphatic drainage, intermittent pneumatic compression, and passive rest following a standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol designed to induce exercise-induced muscle damage. Outcome measures will include blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump performance, delayed-onset muscle soreness, perceived recovery status, and thigh circumference.
The findings may help determine whether these passive recovery interventions provide clinically meaningful benefits compared with passive rest and contribute to evidence-based recommendations for post-exercise recovery
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) | Experimental | Other: Manual Lymphatic DrainageParticipants will receive a 10-minute session of manual lymphatic drainage according to the Vodder technique following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol. |
| Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (Pressotherapy) | Active comparator | Other: Intermittent Pheumatic CompressionParticipants will receive a 10-minute session of intermittent pneumatic compression using a four-chamber sequential compression device set at 90 mmHg following the exercise protocol. |
| Control group | No intervention | –Participants will remain seated at rest for 10 minutes following the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol without receiving any recovery intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 30 years.
- Physically active according to the World Health Organization recommendations.
- Able to understand and follow study procedures.
- Willing to provide written informed consent.
- Able to attend all assessment sessions.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or neuromuscular disorders.
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting the lower limbs.
- Lower-limb surgery within the previous 6 months.
- Current use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle recovery medications.
- Participation in vigorous exercise within 24 hours prior to baseline assessment.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Lymphatic Drainagearticipants will receive a standardized manual lymphatic drainage session administered by a licensed physiotherapist immediately following the fatigue-inducing protocol. The intervention will be performed according to recognized manual lymphatic drainage techniques, with the aim of facilitating fluid mobilization and enhancing post-exercise recovery. | Other | Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) |
| Intermittent Pheumatic CompressionParticipants will receive a session of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy immediately following the exercise-induced fatigue protocol. Treatment will be administered using a pneumatic compression device with sequential inflation and deflation cycles applied to the lower limbs. | Other | Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (Pressotherapy) |
Primary outcome
Change in Blood Lactate Concentration
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, 10 minutes post-exercise, and immediately after the recovery intervention
Blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured from capillary blood samples using a portable lactate analyzer. Changes in lactate concentration will be used to assess metabolic recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.
Change in Countermovement Jump Performance
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, measured in centimeters using a validated jump assessment system. Changes in jump performance will be used as an indicator of neuromuscular recovery and lower-limb functional capacity.
3 secondary outcomes
Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Perceived Recovery Status
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Change in Thigh Circumference
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after exercise.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Edurne Úbeda, Doctor principal investigator
Camilo Jose Cela University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Intermittent Pheumatic Compression in people with Young Athletes, run by Camilo Jose Cela University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Doctor (+34 8153131 ext. 19217, eubeda@ucjc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Blood Lactate Concentration (time frame: Baseline, immediately post-exercise, 3 minutes post-exercise, 10 minutes post-exercise, and immediately after the recovery intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Oct 2026.