Abstract
The aim of this study was to study the effects of a 6-session (one per week) WB-EMS training intervention on maximum oxygen uptake, aerobic and gas exchange thresholds, running economy, and muscular power in male recreational runners. Twelve men were randomized into WB-EMS intervention (n = 6; 27.0 ± 7.5 years; 70.1 ± 11.1 kg; 1.75 ± 0.5 m) or control (n = 6; 27.0 ± 6.1 years; 73.6 ± 3.4 kg; 1.77 ± 0.3 m). The WB-EMS group reduced the running training frequency to one per week and followed one WB-EMS training session per week during 6 weeks. Participants in the control group maintained their usual running endurance training. Each participant completed four assessments: physiological parameters [(i) VO2max, aerobic and gas exchange threshold values, and (ii) running economy at two intensities], muscular power (vertical jump), and anthropometric parameters both at baseline and after the intervention. Participants in the WB-EMS group improved VO2max, aerobic and gas exchange threshold values, running economy, and vertical jump (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. There, WB-EMS seems to be an effective training methodology leading to improvements in performance during endurance training volume reduction in male recreational runners.
Highlights
Long-distance running performance depends on the interaction of physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors (Bassett and Howley, 2000)
The major findings of this study were that 6 weeks of WBEMS training improved: (i) VO2max (5.2%); (ii) speed and VO2max percentage at which ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2) is reached ( = 8.6% and = 4.6%, respectively); (iii) running economy at speeds where ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) and 90% of VT2 were reached (−3.3% and −6.2%, respectively); and (iv) muscular power in countermovement jump (CMJ) and Abalakov jump (ABJ)
Our results suggest that a 6-week Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training program combined with a significant reduction in endurance training, improved VO2max, VT1, VT2, running economy (RE), and vertical jump, which are related to running performance in recreational runners
Summary
Long-distance running performance depends on the interaction of physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors (Bassett and Howley, 2000). Physiological attributes include (i) high cardiac output and high rate of oxygen availability and delivery to working muscles reflected on maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and dependent of muscle capillary density, stroke volume, maximal heart rate, and hemoglobin content; (ii) capacity to sustain a high VO2 fraction for long periods of time [i.e., ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) and ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2), which depend on aerobic enzyme activity, and distribution of power output]; (iii) capacity to produce movement with the minimum energy cost [i.e., running economy (RE), which depends on the percentage of slow twitch muscle fibers, anthropometry, and elasticity] (Bassett and Howley, 2000; Foster and Lucia, 2007; Joyner and Coyle, 2008); and (iv) capacity to develop muscular power (Nuhr et al, 2003). It is necessary to seek for other alternatives to prevent or reduce the large decreases in physiological and performance-related parameters induced by training cessation (Mujika and Padilla, 2001; Berryman et al, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
