부산대학교 도서관

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.