EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF FAR INFRARED CERAMIC MICROSPHERES ON MUSCLE RECOVERY IN ARCHERS: A STUDY ON MYOELECTRIC ACTIVITY AND BLOOD LACTATE LEVELS

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of far-infrared ceramic microspheres in enhancing muscle recovery and reducing blood lactate accumulation following exhaustive archery training. Methods: Archers were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: far-infrared ceramic treatment, warm water foot soak, and natural recovery. Following a standardized exhaustive exercise protocol, recovery interventions were applied. Myoelectric activity of the rectus femoris, medial femoris, and lateral femoris muscles, as well as blood lactate levels, were measured immediately post-exercise and after 5, 15, and 30 minutes of recovery. Results: Both the far-infrared ceramic and warm water foot soak treatments significantly improved the integral myoelectric values compared to the natural recovery group. After 30 minutes of intervention, blood lactate levels in the far-infrared treatment group and the foot soak group returned to baseline rest state levels, whereas those in the natural recovery group did not. Notably, the far-infrared ceramic treatment group showed significantly lower blood lactate concentrations compared to both the foot soak and natural recovery groups. Conclusion: The use of far-infrared ceramic microspheres as a recovery intervention in archers significantly enhances the clearance of blood lactate and aids in the recovery of myoelectric activity in key leg muscles. This suggests that far-infrared ceramic microspheres are an effective recovery aid following high-intensity archery training.