Abstract:Objective:This study aimed to investigate whether acupuncture at ST36 can make effects on the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) trainees’ recovery from special training load. Methods: We recruited 131 SWAT trainees, divided into 5 groups randomly, and then gave acupuncture or Sham needle, give positive language introduction or negative language introduction, thus form four experimental groups: Sham needle high expectations group(n=26), Sham needle low expectations group (n=26), acupuncture high expectations group(n=26), acupuncture low expectations group(n=26) , and we set blank control group (n=27). With the help of Swedish Monark839E power vehicle, progressive load motion test was carried out to increase the gradient 15 W/min until exhaustion.The heart rate(HR), oxygen volume (VO2), respiration rate(RR), rating of perceived exercise (RPE), systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were tested during the training and recovery process. In the six minutes after the exercise, the experienced clinical acupuncture doctor performed Sham needle or acupuncture, leaving the needle for 20 minutes. The acupuncture point was ST36, the position of the Sham acupuncture point is to away from the non-meridian point 1~2 cm.The control group recovered naturally. According to the true or false of acupuncture and expectations of high or low, it formed ABC three contrasts: four experimental groups together versus blank control group, two acupuncture group together versus two sham needle group, the two lower expectations groups together versus two higher expectations.Compare the level of fatigue recovery of above contrasts. Results: The two-factor variance analysis in the three control groups on HR, RPE, RR, VO2 were showed statistical significance (P< 0.05) except SBP and DBP. Conclusion: Acupuncture has three and high psychological expectations to promote the movement fatigue recovery process.