Abstract
OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength training (ST) combined with whole-body electrical stimulation (EMS) on morphofunctional adaptations in active individuals.METHODS:Fifty-eight volunteers were randomly distributed into the following groups: an untrained control (UN) group (n=16), an ST group (n=21) or an ST combined with EMS (ST+EMS) group (n=21). Both intervention groups (the ST and ST+EMS groups) performed 3 exercises (biceps curl, back squats and high-pulley tricep extensions) twice a week for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 3 sets of 8 to 12 maximum repetitions (MRs) with a 90-second rest duration between sets. The ST+EMS group performed the resistance training exercises wearing a whole-body suit that provided electrical stimulation at frequencies between 80-85 Hz, with a continuously bipolar impulse duration and pulse breadth of 350 µs. The intensity for each muscle group was controlled by Borg’s category ratio (CR)-10 scale; the intensity started at 5-6 and eventually reached 7-8. One-repetition maximum strength (1RM) and muscle thickness (MT) were measured before and after the training intervention. MT was evaluated in the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), and vastus lateralis (VL).RESULTS:No differences (p>0.05) were found between the ST and ST+EMS groups. Improvements (p<0.05) in the absolute values of the morphofunctional parameters after the training protocol were observed. Significant differences were found between both the intervention groups and the UN group (p<0.05). The ST+EMS group presented high percentage changes (p<0.05) in muscular strength for the 1RMsquat (43.2%, ES=1.64) and the MT of the BB (21.6%, ES=1.21) compared to the ST (20.5%, ES=1.43, 11.9%, ES=0.77) group.CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that the combination of ST+EMS may promote alterations in muscle strength and MT in healthy active subjects.
Highlights
The present study aimed to investigate the chronic effects of 8 weeks of strength training (ST) combined with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on maximal strength and muscle thickness (MT) in physically active individuals
EMS has been applied with different approaches, such as in therapeutic [6,7,8,9], sports [10,11] practices, and has shown positive results in reducing sarcopenia [15], diabetes [12] and obesity in sedentary individuals with obesity [16]
The results showed that both training protocols (ST and ST combined with EMS (ST+EMS)) resulted in a significant improvement in all the studied variables compared to the control group
Summary
As such, varying interventions have been developed to promote motivation to engage in physical exercise [5] and to maximize the results of more traditional interventions Among these strategies, physical training using whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) has gained popularity. Whole-body EMS is a relatively new training technology that differs fundamentally from the classic passive and locally applied EMS used for therapeutic [6,7,8,9] and sport [10,11] purposes Modern devices, such as the whole-body suit, have the ability to stimulate all the major muscle groups either in isolation or simultaneously (i.e., up to an area of 2.800 cm2) and have been increasingly applied in training programs for health promotion, aesthetic improvement and physical fitness and performance improvement
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