Efeitos da acupuntura na performance e recuperação pós lesão de atletas de alto rendimento: uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate, through a review of the literature, the effects of acupuncture in the performance and recovery post injury of high-performance athletes. Methods: A literature research was performed in the following data bases MEDLINE/ PUBMED, BIREME, COCHRANE, SCIELO and PEDRO. Results: A total of 54 articles were retrieved from the literature research, however only seven of them met the inclusion criteria established for this study and, therefore, could be included in the present review. Conclusion: There is evidence to suggest that acupuncture has beneficial effects in the population of high-performance athletes, however, it is difficult to determine to what extent the observed improvements are only due to the use of acupuncture since the athletes are subjected to other forms of treatment along with the technique investigated. Thus, it is necessary to develop new studies with more appropriate methodological designs to investigate the effects of acupuncture in high-performance athletes.