Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of short-term strength training with and without superimposed whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on straight sprinting speed (SSS), change of direction speed (CODS), vertical and horizontal jumping, as well as on strength and power in physically active females. Twenty-two active female participants (n = 22; mean ± SD: age: 20.5 ± 2.3 years; height: 171.9 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 64.0 ± 8.2 kg; strength training experience 5.1 ± 3.6 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: strength training (S) or strength training with superimposed WB-EMS (S+E). Both groups trained twice a week over a period of 4 weeks and differed in the application of free weights or WB-EMS during four strength (e.g., split squats, glute-ham raises) and five sprinting and jumping exercises (e.g., side and box jumps, skippings). The WB-EMS impulse intensity was adjusted to 70% of individual maximal sustainable pain. SSS was tested via 30-m sprinting, CODS by a T-run, vertical and horizontal jumping using four different jump tests at pre-, post-, and retests. Maximal strength (Fmax) and power (Pmax) testing procedures were conducted on the Leg Press (LP), Leg Extension (LE), and Leg Curl (LC) machine. Significant time × group interaction effects revealed significant decreases of contact time of the Drop Jump and split time of CODS (p ≤ 0.043; = 0.15–0.25) for S (≤ 11.6%) compared to S+E (≤ 5.7%). Significant time effects (p < 0.024; = 0.17–0.57) were observed in both groups for SSS (S+E: ≤6.3%; S: ≤8.0%) and CODS (S+E: ≤1.8%; S: ≤2.0%) at retest, for jump test performances (S+E: ≤13.2%; S: ≤9.2%) as well as Fmax and Pmax for LE (S+E: ≤13.5%; S: ≤13.3%) and LC (S+E: ≤18.2%; S: ≤26.7%) at post- and retests. The findings of this study indicate comparable effects of short-term strength training with and without superimposed WB-EMS on physical fitness in physically active females. Therefore, WB-EMS training could serve as a reasonable but not superior alternative to classic training regimes in female exercisers.
Highlights
The importance of resistance training in order to enhance sprinting and jumping performance is generally accepted
It was hypothesized that short-term strength training with submaximal superimposed whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) improves physical fitness in physically active females more than short-term strength training without superimposed WB-EMS
This study compared the effects of short-term strength training with and without superimposed WB-EMS on (1) straight sprinting speed (SSS) and change of direction speed (CODS), on VJ and horizontal jumping (HJ), as well as on (2) strength and power parameters in female strength trained sport students
Summary
The importance of resistance training in order to enhance sprinting and jumping performance is generally accepted. The transfer of well-developed strength and power variables on sportspecific movement patterns is mostly not as clear as presumed (Sheppard and Young, 2006; Young, 2006; Brughelli et al, 2008). Young (2006) and Brughelli et al (2008) highlighted the role of specific exercise movement patterns and contraction velocities in strength training exercises. They recommended to perform plyometrics, horizontal jumps, lateral jumps, and loaded vertical jump training including bilateral and unilateral exercises as well as SSS- and CODSspecific skill training in order to adhere to specific movement requirements and directions to develop sprinting performance
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