由於在2016年奧運比賽獲得五面金牌的優秀游泳選手背上遺留著深色圓圈,拔罐因而引起了全世界運動員與教練之關注。回顧中醫治療文獻中有關拔罐的研究,雖已發現拔罐具排出多餘的液體及毒素、放鬆膠著的結締組織、促進淤塞肌肉的血液流動、刺激自主神經系統及調節賀爾蒙與免疫系統等功效,然而迄今仍鮮見拔罐對於運動員恢復相關生理指標之影響及機轉的研究。前述這些生理功能對於運動員的恢復及競技表現,都扮演著極重要的角色,如何協助運動員快速恢復以提升競技成績是運動科學之重要議題,本文整理拔罐應用於治療疼痛及代謝症候群、促進免疫系統及抗氧化功效之相關文獻,顯示拔罐之作用機轉可能透過對皮膚的刺激,進而影響神經、內分泌與免疫系統,達到促進運動後快速恢復的效果,此結論可提供菁英運動員選擇最佳恢復方法時之參考。
Due to the dark round marks left on the back of the excellent swimmer who won 5 gold medals in the 2016 Olympic Games, cupping attracted the global attention of athletes and coaches. In previous studies in Chinese medicine, cupping was reported to exhibit beneficial effects including draining excess fluids and toxins, loosening adhesions, lifting connective tissue, bringing blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles, and stimulating the peripheral nervous system as well as modulating the endocrine and immune systems. However, till now there is limited information concerning the effects of cupping on the probable biomarkers in athlete recovery and relevant mechanisms. Given the above mentioned physiological functions playing major roles in the recovery and performance of athletes, to facilitate the recovery of athletes to enhance the sport performance is an important issue in sport science. This article reviewed previous studies of cupping therapy used for treating pain and metabolism syndromes, enhancing immune system and for anti-oxidation, and suggested that the putative mechanisms of cupping on improving athlete recovery were through stimulating the skin to affect nervous, endocrine and immune systems. This conclusion would provide useful information for athletes to choose their best recovery strategy.