{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,8]],"date-time":"2026-05-08T14:34:03Z","timestamp":1778250843366,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":75,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]],"date-time":"2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1739145600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]],"date-time":"2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1739145600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sports Med"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,4]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>Dry needling is an increasingly popular technique used in sports and regenerative medicine contexts. However, there is no comprehensive overview of investigations of dry needling in sports and sport recovery.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>The objectives were to perform a systematic review of dry needling in sports athletes with an evidence gap map, to identify current gaps in the literature, and to provide stakeholders with direction for future research.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines were followed. Studies on healthy and injured athletes receiving dry needling were included. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched, data were synthesized narratively, key data were summarized quantitatively, and an evidence gap map was created.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>The authors incorporated 24 studies into the current study, encompassing 580 athletes, predominantly involving talent\/developmental and highly trained\/national-level athletes across 13 sports. Most studies used passive or placebo controls, with 37.5% incorporating active controls. Interventions focused mainly on the lower limbs (58.3%). Around 69% of studies reported pain perception outcomes, while six examined muscular strength, activity, and range of motion. While results varied, dry needling generally showed a more positive effect on pain than on athletic performance.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>Dry needling studies seem to describe general effectiveness and safety for reducing pain and muscle stiffness in a wide variety of body regions. However, further research is needed on underrepresented populations such as elite, world-class, and Paralympic athletes, as well as expanding investigations into long-term effects and a broader range of muscle groups, particularly the hamstrings. The results may be valuable for medical professionals, sports medicine specialists, and researchers.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Registration<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>OSF project no.: osf.io osf.io\/h3yeq.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]],"date-time":"2025-02-10T09:58:52Z","timestamp":1739181532000},"page":"811-844","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"55","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5685-3139","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adrian","family":"Ku\u017cd\u017ca\u0142","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4276-4813","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Robert","family":"Trybulski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7470-1921","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jaros\u0142aw","family":"Muracki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8182-2975","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sebastian","family":"Klich","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9813-2842","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Filipe Manuel","family":"Clemente","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7840-3799","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adam","family":"Kawczy\u0144ski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"2175_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1179\/108331913X13844245102034","volume":"19","author":"J Dunning","year":"2014","unstructured":"Dunning J, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, Flannagan S, Perreault T. Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. Phys Ther Rev. 2014;19:252\u201365.","journal-title":"Phys Ther Rev"},{"key":"2175_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"276","DOI":"10.1179\/2042618615Y.0000000014","volume":"23","author":"R Boyles","year":"2015","unstructured":"Boyles R, Fowler R, Ramsey D, Burrows E. Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple body regions: a systematic review. J Man Manip Ther. 2015;23:276\u201393.","journal-title":"J Man Manip Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2016.02.013","volume":"26","author":"L Liu","year":"2016","unstructured":"Liu L, Skinner MA, McDonough SM, Baxter GD. Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and myofascial trigger needling: the same stimulation points? Complement Ther Med. 2016;26:28\u201332.","journal-title":"Complement Ther Med"},{"key":"2175_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"640","DOI":"10.3122\/jabfm.2010.05.090296","volume":"23","author":"L Kalichman","year":"2010","unstructured":"Kalichman L, Vulfsons S. Dry needling in the management of musculoskeletal pain. J Am Board Fam Med. 2010;23:640\u20136.","journal-title":"J Am Board Fam Med"},{"key":"2175_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2017.7096","volume":"47","author":"E Gattie","year":"2017","unstructured":"Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47:133\u201349.","journal-title":"J Orthop Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-003-0825-3","volume":"90","author":"M Sandberg","year":"2003","unstructured":"Sandberg M, Lundeberg T, Lindberg L-G, Gerdle B. Effects of acupuncture on skin and muscle blood flow in healthy subjects. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;90:114\u20139.","journal-title":"Eur J Appl Physiol"},{"key":"2175_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2019.07.009","volume":"101","author":"H Zarei","year":"2020","unstructured":"Zarei H, Bervis S, Piroozi S, Motealleh A. Added value of gluteus medius and quadratus lumborum dry needling in improving knee pain and function in female athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2020;101:265\u201374.","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"2175_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1030","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2016-096581","volume":"50","author":"T Soligard","year":"2016","unstructured":"Soligard T, Schwellnus M, Alonso J-M, Bahr R, Clarsen B, Dijkstra HP, et al. How much is too much? (Part 1) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of injury. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50:1030\u201341.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"key":"2175_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1043","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2016-096572","volume":"50","author":"M Schwellnus","year":"2016","unstructured":"Schwellnus M, Soligard T, Alonso J-M, Bahr R, Clarsen B, Dijkstra HP, et al. How much is too much? (Part 2) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of illness. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50:1043\u201352.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"key":"2175_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"605","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2021.04.014","volume":"27","author":"JP Kelly","year":"2021","unstructured":"Kelly JP, Koppenhaver SL, Michener LA, Kolber MJ, Cleland JA. Immediate decrease of muscle biomechanical stiffness following dry needling in asymptomatic participants. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;27:605\u201311.","journal-title":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"435","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1986.sp016126","volume":"375","author":"DA Jones","year":"1986","unstructured":"Jones DA, Newham DJ, Round JM, Tolfree SE. Experimental human muscle damage: morphological changes in relation to other indices of damage. J Physiol. 1986;375:435\u201348.","journal-title":"J Physiol"},{"key":"2175_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.2007.139477","volume":"586","author":"RM Enoka","year":"2008","unstructured":"Enoka RM, Duchateau J. Muscle fatigue: what, why and how it influences muscle function. J Physiol. 2008;586:11\u201323.","journal-title":"J Physiol"},{"key":"2175_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2020.102479","volume":"55","author":"SR Albin","year":"2020","unstructured":"Albin SR, Koppenhaver SL, MacDonald CW, Capoccia S, Ngo D, Phippen S, et al. The effect of dry needling on gastrocnemius muscle stiffness and strength in participants with latent trigger points. J Electromyol Kinesiol. 2020;55: 102479.","journal-title":"J Electromyol Kinesiol"},{"key":"2175_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1249\/JSR.0000000000000968","volume":"21","author":"C-T Tang","year":"2022","unstructured":"Tang C-T, Song B. Acupuncture and dry needling for sports performance and recovery. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2022;21:213\u20138.","journal-title":"Curr Sports Med Rep"},{"key":"2175_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1179\/2042618613Y.0000000044","volume":"22","author":"S Brady","year":"2014","unstructured":"Brady S, McEvoy J, Dommerholt J, Doody C. Adverse events following trigger point dry needling: a prospective survey of chartered physiotherapists. J Man Manip Ther. 2014;22:134\u201340.","journal-title":"J Man Manip Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000006726","volume":"96","author":"J Vel\u00e1zquez-Saornil","year":"2017","unstructured":"Vel\u00e1zquez-Saornil J, Ru\u00edz-Ru\u00edz B, Rodr\u00edguez-Sanz D, Romero-Morales C, L\u00f3pez-L\u00f3pez D, Calvo-Lobo C. Efficacy of quadriceps vastus medialis dry needling in a rehabilitation protocol after surgical reconstruction of complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Medicine. 2017;96: e6726.","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"2175_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2017-0207","volume":"28","author":"F Kamali","year":"2019","unstructured":"Kamali F, Sinaei E, Morovati M. Comparison of upper trapezius and infraspinatus myofascial trigger point therapy by dry needling in overhead athletes with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome. J Sport Rehabil. 2019;28:243\u20139.","journal-title":"J Sport Rehabil"},{"key":"2175_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000011225","volume":"97","author":"H-T Hu","year":"2018","unstructured":"Hu H-T, Gao H, Ma R-J, Zhao X-F, Tian H-F, Li L. Is dry needling effective for low back pain? Medicine. 2018;97: e11225.","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"2175_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.26603\/ijspt20200081","volume":"15","author":"R Halle","year":"2020","unstructured":"Halle R, Crowell M, Goss D. Dry needling and physical therapy versus physical therapy alone following shoulder stabilization repair: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020;15:81\u2013102.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2018.02.010","volume":"23","author":"R Walsh","year":"2019","unstructured":"Walsh R, Kinsella S, McEvoy J. The effects of dry needling and radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy on latent trigger point sensitivity in the quadriceps: a randomised control pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2019;23:82\u20138.","journal-title":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2022.09.002","volume":"117","author":"J S\u00e1nchez-Infante","year":"2022","unstructured":"S\u00e1nchez-Infante J, Bravo-S\u00e1nchez A, Esteban-Garc\u00eda P, Jim\u00e9nez F, Abi\u00e1n-Vic\u00e9n J. Changes in electromyographic activity of latent trigger points after a dry needling intervention: a randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy. 2022;117:72\u201380.","journal-title":"Physiotherapy"},{"key":"2175_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"378","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000001111","volume":"49","author":"C Haser","year":"2017","unstructured":"Haser C, Stoggl T, Kriner M, Mikoleit J, Wolfhart B, Scherr J, et al. Effect of dry needling on thigh muscle strength and hip flexion in elite soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017;49:378\u201383.","journal-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc"},{"key":"2175_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1186\/s12874-018-0611-x","volume":"18","author":"Z Munn","year":"2018","unstructured":"Munn Z, Peters MDJ, Stern C, Tufanaru C, McArthur A, Aromataris E. Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol [Internet]. 2018;18:143. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12874-018-0611-x.","journal-title":"BMC Med Res Methodol [Internet]"},{"key":"2175_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"371","DOI":"10.1002\/jrsm.1123","volume":"5","author":"MT Pham","year":"2014","unstructured":"Pham MT, Raji\u0107 A, Greig JD, Sargeant JM, Papadopoulos A, McEwen SA. A scoping review of scoping reviews: advancing the approach and enhancing the consistency. Res Synth Methods. 2014;5:371\u201385.","journal-title":"Res Synth Methods"},{"key":"2175_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"713","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/83.8.713","volume":"83","author":"CG Maher","year":"2003","unstructured":"Maher CG, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Moseley AM, Elkins M. Reliability of the PEDro Scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther [Internet]. 2003;83:713\u201321.","journal-title":"Phys Ther [Internet]"},{"key":"2175_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"188","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2012-091804","volume":"47","author":"MR Elkins","year":"2013","unstructured":"Elkins MR, Moseley AM, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Maher CG. Growth in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and use of the PEDro scale. Br J Sports Med [Internet]. 2013;47:188\u20139. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bjsports-2012-091804.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med [Internet]."},{"key":"2175_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1632","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm8101632","volume":"8","author":"BBV Benito-de-Pedro","year":"2019","unstructured":"Benito-de-Pedro BBV, Losa-Iglesias R-S, L\u00f3pez-L\u00f3pez C-M, et al. Effectiveness between dry needling and ischemic compression in the triceps surae latent myofascial trigger points of triathletes on pressure pain threshold and thermography: a single blinded randomized clinical trial. J Clin Med. 2019;8:1632.","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"2175_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2906","DOI":"10.3390\/s21092906","volume":"21","author":"M Benito-de-Pedro","year":"2021","unstructured":"Benito-de-Pedro M, Calvo-Lobo C, L\u00f3pez-L\u00f3pez D, Benito-de-Pedro AI, Romero-Morales C, San-Antol\u00edn M, et al. Electromyographic assessment of the efficacy of deep dry needling versus the ischemic compression technique in gastrocnemius of medium-distance triathletes. Sensors. 2021;21:2906.","journal-title":"Sensors"},{"key":"2175_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e172","DOI":"10.1093\/pm\/pnz222","volume":"21","author":"M Benito-de-Pedro","year":"2020","unstructured":"Benito-de-Pedro M, Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo R, Elena Losa-Iglesias M, Rodr\u00edguez-Sanz D, L\u00f3pez-L\u00f3pez D, Palomo-L\u00f3pez P, et al. Effectiveness of deep dry needling vs ischemic compression in the latent myofascial trigger points of the shortened triceps surae from triathletes on ankle dorsiflexion, dynamic, and static plantar pressure distribution: a clinical trial. Pain Med. 2020;21:e172\u201381.","journal-title":"Pain Med"},{"key":"2175_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"788","DOI":"10.4085\/1062-6050-0096.21","volume":"57","author":"BD Brewster","year":"2022","unstructured":"Brewster BD, Snyder Valier AR, Falsone S. A systematic dry-needling treatment to support recovery posttraining for division I ice hockey athletes: an exploration case series. J Athl Train. 2022;57:788\u201394.","journal-title":"J Athl Train"},{"key":"2175_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"225","DOI":"10.1097\/JSM.0000000000000794","volume":"31","author":"DM Cushman","year":"2021","unstructured":"Cushman DM, Cummings K, Skinner L, Holman A, Haight P, Brobeck M, et al. Postrace dry needling does not reduce subsequent soreness and cramping\u2014a randomized controlled trial. Clin J Sport Med. 2021;31:225\u201331.","journal-title":"Clin J Sport Med"},{"key":"2175_CR32","first-page":"328","volume":"8","author":"SC Dembowski","year":"2013","unstructured":"Dembowski SC, Westrick RB, Zylstra E, Johnson MR. Treatment of hamstring strain in a collegiate pole-vaulter integrating dry needling with an eccentric training program: a resident\u2019s case report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8:328\u201339.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2453","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000002520","volume":"33","author":"F Devereux","year":"2019","unstructured":"Devereux F, O\u2019Rourke B, Byrne PJ, Byrne D, Kinsella S. Effects of myofascial trigger point release on power and force production in the lower limb kinetic chain. J Strength Cond Res. 2019;33:2453\u201363.","journal-title":"J Strength Cond Res"},{"key":"2175_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.2003.009431","volume":"39","author":"L Huguenin","year":"2005","unstructured":"Huguenin L. Effect of dry needling of gluteal muscles on straight leg raise: a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind trial. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39:84\u201390.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"key":"2175_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.26603\/001c.21475","author":"JA Janowski","year":"2021","unstructured":"Janowski JA, Phelan-Smith DML, Kroat Brady MN, Michels KL, Timm AH, Boucher NM, et al. Acute effects of dry needling on myofascial trigger points in the triceps surae of ballet dancers: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.26603\/001c.21475.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2092","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18042092","volume":"18","author":"L L\u00f3pez-Gonz\u00e1lez","year":"2021","unstructured":"L\u00f3pez-Gonz\u00e1lez L, Falla D, L\u00e1zaro-Navas I, Lorenzo-S\u00e1nchez-Aguilera C, Rodr\u00edguez-Costa I, Pecos-Mart\u00edn D, et al. Effects of dry needling on neuromuscular control of ankle stabilizer muscles and center of pressure displacement in basketball players with chronic ankle instability: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18:2092.","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"2175_CR37","first-page":"116","volume":"9","author":"JS Mason","year":"2014","unstructured":"Mason JS, Tansey KA, Westrick RB. Treatment of subacute posterior knee pain in an adolescent ballet dancer utilizing trigger point dry needling: a case report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2014;9:116\u201324.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4260","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm10184260","volume":"10","author":"L Ceballos-Laita","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ceballos-Laita L, Medrano-de-la-Fuente R, Est\u00e9banez-De-Miguel E, Moreno-Cervi\u00f1o J, Mingo-G\u00f3mez MT, Hernando-Garijo I, et al. Effects of dry needling in teres major muscle in elite handball athletes. A randomised controlled trial. J Clin Med. 2021;10:4260.","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"2175_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5155","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18105155","volume":"18","author":"WYH dos Santos","year":"2021","unstructured":"dos Santos WYH, Aidar FJ, de Matos DG, Van den Tillaar R, Mar\u00e7al AC, Lobo LF, et al. Physiological and biochemical evaluation of different types of recovery in national level Paralympic powerlifting. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18:5155.","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"2175_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1772","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19031772","volume":"19","author":"FJ Aidar","year":"2022","unstructured":"Aidar FJ, Dantas EF, Almeida-Neto PF, Neto FR, Garrido ND, Cabral BG, et al. Can post-exercise hemodynamic response be influenced by different recovery methods in paraplegic sportsmen? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19:1772.","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"2175_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.26603\/001c.68143","author":"J Escaloni","year":"2023","unstructured":"Escaloni J, Mazloomdoost D, Young I. Novel orthobiologic preparation and regenerative rehabilitation of a complex shoulder injury in a competitive adolescent female athlete. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2023. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.26603\/001c.68143.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1136\/aim.2009.001560","volume":"28","author":"NJ Osborne","year":"2010","unstructured":"Osborne NJ, Gatt IT. Management of shoulder injuries using dry needling in elite volleyball players. Acupunct Med. 2010;28:42\u20135.","journal-title":"Acupunct Med"},{"key":"2175_CR43","first-page":"614","volume":"11","author":"R Patrick","year":"2016","unstructured":"Patrick R, McGinty J, Lucado A, Collier B. Chronic UCL injury: a multimodal approach to correcting altered mechanics and improving healing in a college athlete\u2014a case report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11:614\u201326.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR44","first-page":"323","volume":"7","author":"RB Westrick","year":"2012","unstructured":"Westrick RB, Zylstra E, Issa T, Miller JM, Gerber JP. Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal chest wall pain in a military athlete. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012;7:323\u201332.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR45","first-page":"27","volume":"6","author":"Z Etminan","year":"2019","unstructured":"Etminan Z, Razeghi M, Ghafarinejad F. The effect of dry needling of trigger points in forearm\u2019s extensor muscles on the grip force, pain and function of athletes with chronic tennis elbow. J Rehabil Sci Res. 2019;6:27\u201333.","journal-title":"J Rehabil Sci Res"},{"key":"2175_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"339","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2020.11.017","volume":"26","author":"A Kheradmandi","year":"2021","unstructured":"Kheradmandi A, Kamali F, Ebrahimian M, Abbasi L. Comparison between dry needling plus manual therapy with manual therapy alone on pain and function in overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesia: a randomized clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;26:339\u201346.","journal-title":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2021-0451","volume":"17","author":"AKA McKay","year":"2022","unstructured":"McKay AKA, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES, Martin DT, Mujika I, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, et al. Defining training and performance caliber: a participant classification framework. Int J Sports Physiol Perform [Internet]. 2022;17:317\u201331.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform [Internet]"},{"key":"2175_CR48","first-page":"371","volume-title":"Women and athletes with high support needs in Paralympic sport: progress and further opportunities for underrepresented populations. The Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies","author":"C Slocum","year":"2018","unstructured":"Slocum C, Kim S, Blauwet C. Women and athletes with high support needs in Paralympic sport: progress and further opportunities for underrepresented populations. The Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies. London: Palgrave Macmillan; 2018. p. 371\u201388."},{"key":"2175_CR49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"932","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00377.2023","volume":"135","author":"JJ James","year":"2023","unstructured":"James JJ, Klevenow EA, Atkinson MA, Vosters EE, Bueckers EP, Quinn ME, et al. Underrepresentation of women in exercise science and physiology research is associated with authorship gender. J Appl Physiol. 2023;135:932\u201342.","journal-title":"J Appl Physiol"},{"key":"2175_CR50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.1123\/wspaj.2021-0028","volume":"29","author":"ES Cowley","year":"2021","unstructured":"Cowley ES, Olenick AA, McNulty KL, Ross EZ. \u201cInvisible sportswomen\u201d: the sex data gap in sport and exercise science research. Women Sport Phys Act J. 2021;29:146\u201351.","journal-title":"Women Sport Phys Act J"},{"key":"2175_CR51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"124","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.36.2.124","volume":"36","author":"C Bleakley","year":"2002","unstructured":"Bleakley C. The quality of research in sports journals. Br J Sports Med. 2002;36:124\u20135.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"key":"2175_CR52","first-page":"482","volume":"7","author":"P Page","year":"2012","unstructured":"Page P. Research designs in sports physical therapy. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012;7:482\u201392.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2017.06.003","volume":"33","author":"L Espejo-Ant\u00fanez","year":"2017","unstructured":"Espejo-Ant\u00fanez L, Tejeda JF-H, Albornoz-Cabello M, Rodr\u00edguez-Mansilla J, de la Cruz-Torres B, Ribeiro F, et al. Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017;33:46\u201357.","journal-title":"Complement Ther Med"},{"key":"2175_CR54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"746","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmrj.2015.01.024","volume":"7","author":"JP Shah","year":"2015","unstructured":"Shah JP, Thaker N, Heimur J, Aredo JV, Sikdar S, Gerber L. Myofascial trigger points then and now: a historical and scientific perspective. PM&R. 2015;7:746\u201361.","journal-title":"PM&R"},{"key":"2175_CR55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"70E","DOI":"10.1179\/jmt.2006.14.4.70E","volume":"14","author":"J Dommerholt","year":"2006","unstructured":"Dommerholt J, Mayoral del Moral O, Gr\u00f6bli C. Trigger point dry needling. J Man Manip Ther. 2006;14:70E-87E.","journal-title":"J Man Manip Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"154","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2019.8270","volume":"49","author":"CJ Mansfield","year":"2019","unstructured":"Mansfield CJ, Vanetten L, Willy R, di Stasi S, Magnussen R, Briggs M. The effects of needling therapies on muscle force production: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019;49:154\u201370.","journal-title":"J Orthop Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7501205030p1","DOI":"10.5014\/ajot.2021.041798","volume":"75","author":"R Bynum","year":"2021","unstructured":"Bynum R, Garcia O, Herbst E, Kossa M, Liou K, Cowan A, et al. Effects of dry needling on spasticity and range of motion: a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther. 2021;75:7501205030p1\u201313.","journal-title":"Am J Occup Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1312","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2017-098254","volume":"52","author":"M Asker","year":"2018","unstructured":"Asker M, Brooke HL, Wald\u00e9n M, Tranaeus U, Johansson F, Skillgate E, et al. Risk factors for, and prevention of, shoulder injuries in overhead sports: a systematic review with best-evidence synthesis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52:1312\u20139.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"key":"2175_CR59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"320","DOI":"10.1249\/JSR.0000000000000292","volume":"15","author":"KB Fields","year":"2016","unstructured":"Fields KB, Rigby MD. Muscular calf injuries in runners. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2016;15:320\u20134.","journal-title":"Curr Sports Med Rep"},{"key":"2175_CR60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"348","DOI":"10.1007\/s11916-013-0348-5","volume":"17","author":"B Cagnie","year":"2013","unstructured":"Cagnie B, Dewitte V, Barbe T, Timmermans F, Delrue N, Meeus M. Physiologic effects of dry needling. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17:348.","journal-title":"Curr Pain Headache Rep"},{"key":"2175_CR61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15406\/ijcam.2018.11.00440","author":"NA Kerna","year":"2019","unstructured":"Kerna NA, Tucker B, Roberson R. A safe \u201copioid\u201d\u2014is dry needling an efficacious alternative to opioids? Int J Complement Altern Med. 2019. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15406\/ijcam.2018.11.00440.","journal-title":"Int J Complement Altern Med"},{"key":"2175_CR62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1899","DOI":"10.2147\/JPR.S154728","volume":"12","author":"C Fern\u00e1ndez-de-Las-Pe\u00f1as","year":"2019","unstructured":"Fern\u00e1ndez-de-Las-Pe\u00f1as C, Nijs J. Trigger point dry needling for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: current perspectives within a pain neuroscience paradigm. J Pain Res. 2019;12:1899\u2013911.","journal-title":"J Pain Res"},{"key":"2175_CR63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"685","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmpt.2012.10.005","volume":"35","author":"B Cagnie","year":"2012","unstructured":"Cagnie B, Barbe T, De Ridder E, Van Oosterwijck J, Cools A, Danneels L. The influence of dry needling of the trapezius muscle on muscle blood flow and oxygenation. J Manip Physiol Ther. 2012;35:685\u201391.","journal-title":"J Manip Physiol Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/342165","volume":"2012","author":"Y-L Hsieh","year":"2012","unstructured":"Hsieh Y-L, Yang S-A, Yang C-C, Chou L-W. Dry needling at myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscles modulates the biochemicals associated with pain, inflammation, and hypoxia. Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2012;2012:1\u201312.","journal-title":"Evid Based Complement Altern Med"},{"key":"2175_CR65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00971.2016","volume":"122","author":"JM Peake","year":"2017","unstructured":"Peake JM, Neubauer O, Della Gatta PA, Nosaka K. Muscle damage and inflammation during recovery from exercise. J Appl Physiol. 2017;122:559\u201370.","journal-title":"J Appl Physiol"},{"key":"2175_CR66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"568","DOI":"10.1002\/ejp.1508","volume":"24","author":"A Schmitt","year":"2020","unstructured":"Schmitt A, Wallat D, Stangier C, Martin JA, Schlesinger-Irsch U, Boecker H. Effects of fitness level and exercise intensity on pain and mood responses. Euro J Pain. 2020;24:568\u201379.","journal-title":"Euro J Pain"},{"key":"2175_CR67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.21801\/ppcrj.2020.63.2","volume":"6","author":"K Pacheco-Barrios","year":"2020","unstructured":"Pacheco-Barrios K, Gianloren\u00e7o AC, Machado R, Queiroga M, Zeng H, Shaikh E, et al. Exercise-induced pain threshold modulation in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Princip Pract Clin Res. 2020;6:11\u201328.","journal-title":"Princip Pract Clin Res"},{"key":"2175_CR68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2017.6698","volume":"47","author":"S P\u00e9rez-Palomares","year":"2017","unstructured":"P\u00e9rez-Palomares S, Oliv\u00e1n-Bl\u00e1zquez B, P\u00e9rez-Palomares A, Gaspar-Calvo E, P\u00e9rez-Benito M, L\u00f3pez-Lape\u00f1a E, et al. Contribution of dry needling to individualized physical therapy treatment of shoulder pain: a randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47:11\u201320.","journal-title":"J Orthop Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1177\/09645284211027579","volume":"40","author":"C Jim\u00e9nez-S\u00e1nchez","year":"2022","unstructured":"Jim\u00e9nez-S\u00e1nchez C, G\u00f3mez-Soriano J, Bravo-Esteban E, Mayoral-del Moral O, Herrero-G\u00e1llego P, Ortiz-Lucas M. The effect of dry needling of myofascial trigger points on muscle stiffness and motoneuron excitability in healthy subjects. Acupunct Med. 2022;40:24\u201333.","journal-title":"Acupunct Med"},{"key":"2175_CR70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2020.12.006","volume":"26","author":"AC Mead","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mead AC, McGlynn ML, Slivka DR. Acute effects of functional dry needling on skeletal muscle function. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;26:123\u20137.","journal-title":"J Bodyw Mov Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2023.102983","volume":"77","author":"L Luan","year":"2023","unstructured":"Luan L, Zhu M, Adams R, Witchalls J, Pranata A, Han J. Effects of acupuncture or similar needling therapy on pain, proprioception, balance, and self-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2023;77: 102983.","journal-title":"Complement Ther Med"},{"key":"2175_CR72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/705327","volume":"2012","author":"L-W Chou","year":"2012","unstructured":"Chou L-W, Kao M-J, Lin J-G. Probable mechanisms of needling therapies for myofascial pain control. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2012;2012:1\u201311.","journal-title":"J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med"},{"key":"2175_CR73","first-page":"402","volume":"10","author":"C Unverzagt","year":"2015","unstructured":"Unverzagt C, Berglund K, Thomas JJ. Dry needling for myofascial trigger point pain: a clinical commentary. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015;10:402\u201318.","journal-title":"Int J Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"2175_CR74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"156","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2018-0013","volume":"29","author":"NN Ansari","year":"2020","unstructured":"Ansari NN, Alaei P, Naghdi S, Fakhari Z, Komesh S, Dommerholt J. Immediate effects of dry needling as a novel strategy for hamstring flexibility: a single-blinded clinical pilot study. J Sport Rehabil. 2020;29:156\u201361.","journal-title":"J Sport Rehabil"},{"key":"2175_CR75","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1080\/10669817.2022.2077516","volume":"31","author":"GA Kearns","year":"2023","unstructured":"Kearns GA, Brism\u00e9e J-M, Riley SP, Wang-Price S, Denninger T, Vugrin M. Lack of standardization in dry needling dosage and adverse event documentation limits outcome and safety reports: a scoping review of randomized clinical trials. J Man Manip Ther. 2023;31:72\u201383.","journal-title":"J Man Manip Ther"}],"container-title":["Sports Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,21]],"date-time":"2025-04-21T07:01:56Z","timestamp":1745218916000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]]},"references-count":75,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,4]]}},"alternative-id":["2175"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40279-025-02175-9","relation":{},"ISSN":["0112-1642","1179-2035"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0112-1642","type":"print"},{"value":"1179-2035","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]]},"assertion":[{"value":"9 January 2025","order":1,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"10 February 2025","order":2,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"A.K., R.T., and A.K. conceived the study idea, designed the protocol, conducted searches and screening, handled data analysis, contributed to writing, and approved the document. F.M.C. conducted searches, performed screening, extracted data, authored the article, and provided approval. J.M. and S.K. contributed to the risk of bias assessment, writing, and approval of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Authors\u2019 contributions"}},{"value":"There is no funding to declare.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Funding"}},{"value":"All data are available by request to the corresponding author.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Availability of data and material"}},{"value":"The authors do not have any conflict of interest to declare.","order":5,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Conflict of interest"}}]}}