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Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is an extension of the EMS application known in physical therapy. In WB-EMS, body composition and skinfold thickness seem to play a decisive role in influencing the Ohmic resistance and therefore the maximum intensity tolerance. That is why the therapeutic success of (WB-)EMS may depend on individual anatomical parameters. The aim of the study was to find out whether gender, skinfold thickness and parameters of body composition have an influence on the maximum intensity tolerance in WB-EMS. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-two participants were included in the study. Body composition (body impedance, body fat, fat mass, fat-free mass) and skinfold thicknesses were measured and set into relation to the maximum intensity tolerance. [Results] No relationship between the different anthropometric parameters and the maximum intensity tolerance was detected for both genders. Considering the individual muscle groups, no similarities were found in the results. [Conclusion] Body composition or skinfold thickness do not seem to have any influence on the maximum intensity tolerance in WB-EMS training. For the application in physiotherapy this means that a dosage of the electrical voltage within the scope of a (WB-) EMS application is only possible via the subjective feedback (BORG Scale).
The difference in the efficacy of altered stimulation parameters in whole-body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training remains largely unexplored. However, higher impulse frequencies (>50 Hz) might be most adequate for strength gain. The aim of this study was to analyze potential differences in sports-related performance parameters after a 10-week WB-EMS training with different frequencies. A total of 51 untrained participants (24.9 ± 3.9 years, 174 ± 9 cm, 72.4 ± 16.4 kg, BMI 23.8 ± 4.1, body fat 24.7 ± 8.1 %) was randomly divided into three groups: one inactive control group (CON) and two training groups. They completed a 10-week WB-EMS program of 1.5 sessions/week, equal content but different stimulation frequencies (training with 20 Hz (T20) vs. training with 85 Hz (T85)). Before and after intervention, all participants completed jumping (Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Squat Jump (SJ), Drop Jump (DJ)), sprinting (5m, 10m, 30m), and strength tests (isometric trunk flexion/extension). One-way ANOVA was applied to calculate parameter changes. Post-hoc least significant difference tests were performed to identify group differences. Significant differences were identified for CMJ (p = 0.007), SJ (p = 0.022), trunk flexion (p = 0.020) and extension (p=.013) with significant group differences between both training groups and CON (not between the two training groups T20 and T85). A 10-week WB-EMS training leads to significant improvements of jump and strength parameters in untrained participants. No differences could be detected between the frequencies. Therefore, both stimulation frequencies can be regarded as adequate for increasing specific sport performance parameters. Further aspects as regeneration or long term effects by the use of different frequencies still need to be clarified.
Strength training in youth soccer has both a preventive and a
sports-specific component. Whole-body electromyostimulation
(WB-EMS) could represent an interesting time-saving add-on to
classical strength exercises in performance-oriented soccer. The
objective of this study was to find out whether a 10-week superimposed
WB-EMS training might have a more positive impact on
strength parameters in male youth elite soccer players than regular
athletic strength exercises alone. A total of 30 male youth soccer
players from a youth academy aged 15 to 17 years participated
in the study. Before and after the intervention, the isometric extension
and flexion forces of trunk and knee, and the hip abduction
and adduction forces were tested. Twelve players (control
group) absolved a conventional 20-minute strength training once
a week for a period of ten weeks. Eighteen players absolved the
same exercises but with superimposed WB-EMS. Blood creatine
kinase concentration was measured for training control. ANOVAs,
Friedman tests and post hoc t-tests were calculated (p =
0.05) to examine the strength development during the training period
between the groups. While we could not find significant
strength increases in the leg, hip and trunk muscles in the control
group (<4%), the strength of the WB-EMS group improved significantly
in 4 of the 6 muscle groups tested. In this group, the
strength of knee flexors increased significantly by 20.68 ±
21.55%, knee extensors by 31.43 ± 37.02%, hip adductors by
21.70 ± 12.86% and trunk flexors by 33.72 ± 27.43%. The rates
of strength increase are partly in line with other studies, partly
clearly higher, which might be explained by the athletically active
target group. A 10-week superimposed WB-EMS training improves
the strength of certain leg, hip and trunk muscles in male
adolescent elite soccer players to a greater extent than a pure athletic
strength training of the same duration.
Pain in the pubic symphysis is of significance, especially in high-performance sports.
Pelvic torsion, possibly caused by muscular imbalances, is discussed as a pathogenic mechanism.
This study examined a possible interrelationship between the maximum torques of quadriceps
femoris and hamstrings and the spatial positioning of the hemi-pelvises, as well as the tenderness to
palpation of the pubic symphysis. The three-dimensional pelvic contour of 26 pain free adolescents
(age 16.0 ± 0.8 years, weight 66.3 ± 9.9 kg, height 176.2 ± 6.0 cm) was registered by means of an 3D
optical system and the torsion of both hemi-pelvises against each other was calculated based on a
simplified geometrical model. Tenderness on palpation of the pubic symphysis was assessed by
means of a visual analogue scale, and isometric torques of knee extensors and flexors were measured
for both legs. The torque ratio between knee extensors and flexors was calculated for both sides,
as was the crossed torque ratio between the two legs. On the basis of a MANOVA, possible significant
differences in torques and torque ratios between subgroups with lower and higher pelvic torsion
were analyzed. The crossed torque ratio (F = 19.55, p < 0.001, partial η
2 = 0.453) and the tenderness to
palpation of the pubic symphysis (F = 10.72, p = 0.003, partial η
2 = 0.309) were significantly higher in
the subgroup with higher pelvic torsion. The results indicate the crossed torque ratio of knee flexors
and extensors as a potential biomechanical-pathogenic mechanism to be considered in the primary
prevention and diagnosis of symphyseal pain.