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Journals / Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences / 2026 / Volume: 16 Issue: 2

The Effect of Wet Cupping Therapy on Recovery in Athletes

Mihri Barış Karavelioğlu(KÜTAHYA DUMLUPINAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3536-2485
Said Altıkat(KÜTAHYA SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ, TEMEL TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-5763-3787
Gizem Başkaya(BANDIRMA ONYEDİ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-6001-1727
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-08-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The results indicated that WCT had a significant effect on reducing blood lactate levels and heart rate after exercise.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on post-exercise recovery in active athletes.
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Key Findings & Data:A total of 11 healthy and active athletes, with a mean age of 21.4 ± 1.77 years, an average height of 1.77 ± 0.1 m, a mean body weight of 75.4 ± 5.65 kg, and an average training experience of 10.6 ± 2.35 years, voluntarily participated in the study.
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Conclusion & Impact:The results indicated that WCT had a significant effect on reducing blood lactate levels and heart rate after exercise.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Cupping · Recovery · Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on post-exercise recovery in active athletes. A total of 11 healthy and active athletes, with a mean age of 21.4 ± 1.77 years, an average height of 1.77 ± 0.1 m, a mean body weight of 75.4 ± 5.65 kg, and an average training experience of 10.6 ± 2.35 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Initially, the participants' resting heart rate and blood lactate levels were measured, followed by the Yoyo-1 test conducted until exhaustion. During the first measurement, heart rate and blood lactate levels were recorded post-exercise recovery at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. In the second measurement, the same test protocol was applied; however, this time, WCT was administered post-exercise recovery, and the same measurements were repeated at identical intervals. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, and groups were compared using the Paired-Samples T-Test, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The results indicated that WCT had a significant effect on reducing blood lactate levels and heart rate after exercise. These findings suggest that WCT may be an effective method for enhancing recovery.

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Cite This Article

Karavelioğlu, M. B., Altıkat, S., Başkaya, G. (2025). The Effect of Wet Cupping Therapy on Recovery in Athletes. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, Volume: 16 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1639863

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