Abstract
The aim of this study was to verify and compare the effects of electromyostimulation training (EMS), strength training (ST), and both combined (STEMS), through the analysis of the elbow flexors muscle thickness. Forty subjects (24.45 ± 3.53 years), were randomly divided equally in 4 groups: 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. Each experimental group was submitted to one of three interventions, either an ST protocol, an EMS protocol, or a STEMS protocol. The control group (CG) did not perform any type of physical activity. Ultrasonography (US) was used to measure muscle thickness (MT) at 50 and 60% of the distance between the acromion and the olecranon. The results showed a significant difference in the elbow flexors muscle thickness after 8 weeks, both in the STG, EMSG, and STEMSG, but not in the CG. However, no significant differences were observed between the intervention protocols. It seems that an increase in MT can be obtained using either with ST, EMS, or both combined, however, the results doesn’t support the overlap of one method in relation to the others. EMS can be another interesting tool to induce muscle hypertrophy, but not necessarily better.
Highlights
Introduction iationsThe effect of Strength Training (ST) on strength and muscle mass is generally accepted and well documented, as well as its contribution to sports performance, and when incorporated into fitness programs to promote individuals’ general health
At T2, significantly lower muscle thickness (MT) values of MTR50, MTR60, MTL50, and MTL60 were observed in control group (CG) when compared to strength training (ST) (p < 0.002, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), to STEMSG (p < 0.001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), and to electromyostimulation training (EMS), except for MTR60 (p = 0.043, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively)
We speculate that the changes in MT in our study indicate that the non-voluntary muscle contractions induced by EMS and STEMS were effective in producing a favorable stimulus to induce changes in muscle mass size
Summary
The effect of Strength Training (ST) on strength and muscle mass is generally accepted and well documented, as well as its contribution to sports performance, and when incorporated into fitness programs to promote individuals’ general health. It is the adaptation to a continuous and specific external stimuli in the neuromuscular system that activates the motor units and increases the muscle time under tension, generating mechanical damage and metabolic stress, which can lead to an adaptation response in the muscles and, over time, maybe the hypertrophy process can occur [1,2]. It was developed to achieve greater activation of a higher number of motor units, through non-voluntary muscle contractions at relatively low Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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