Int J Sports Med 2019; 40(13): 831-841
DOI: 10.1055/a-0982-3311
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Two Modalities of Whole-body Electrostimulation Programs and Resistance Circuit Training on Strength and Power

Stefano DʼOttavio
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
2   Interdepartmental Centre of Science and Culture of Sport – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
3   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, “San Raffaele” University – Rome, Italy
4   Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, Rome – Italian Football Federation – Rome, Italy
6   Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Tor Vergata" University – Rome, Italy
,
Gianluca Briotti
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
2   Interdepartmental Centre of Science and Culture of Sport – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
3   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, “San Raffaele” University – Rome, Italy
4   Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, Rome – Italian Football Federation – Rome, Italy
,
Cristina Rosazza
9   Neuroradiology Dept.,Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milano, Italy
,
Filippo Partipilo
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
3   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, “San Raffaele” University – Rome, Italy
,
Adriano Silvestri
8   Urban Fitness EMS Institute - Milan, Italy
,
Cosimo Calabrese
7   Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, "Tor Vergata" University – Rome, Italy
,
Andrea Bernardini
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
5   Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of engineering, "Tor Vergata" University – Rome, Italy
,
Paolo Roberto Gabrielli
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
,
Bruno Ruscello
1   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
2   Interdepartmental Centre of Science and Culture of Sport – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery – “Tor Vergata” University – Rome, Italy
3   School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, “San Raffaele” University – Rome, Italy
5   Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of engineering, "Tor Vergata" University – Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 15 July 2019

Publication Date:
18 September 2019 (online)

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects on strength and muscle power of a training program based on two different modalities of whole-body electrostimulation (WB-EMS) with respect to a resistance-training program aimed at improving dynamic strength. Twenty-two subjects participated in this study: Thirteen male (age 25.2±2.8 years; height 1.78±0.1 m; body mass 72.8±6.4 kg; body fat 11.6±2.3%) and nine female (age 28.2±3.5 years; height 1.63±0.05 m; body mass 56.8±7.6 kg; body fat 19.1±4.7%). Participants were randomly assigned to three groups that underwent three different 6-week training programs: two modalities of WB-EMS, based on different electrical parameters (experimental), and circuit training with overloads (control). Force-velocity curves were calculated for each participant before and after treatment. All groups improved their level of strength and muscle power (paired sample t-Test, p<0.01; d>1) with a similar magnitude. No significant differences were observed between groups (two-way 2×3 Anova, p>0.05) at the end of the experimentation. This study suggests that WB-EMS might be considered as a valid and faster alternative – or an important complementary procedure – to a traditional overload-based resistance-training program for the development of the DS.

 
  • References

  • 1 Maffiuletti NA. Physiological and methodological considerations for the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 110: 223-234
  • 2 Maffiuletti NA, Zory R, Miotti D, Pellegrino MA, Jubeau M, Bottinelli R. Neuromuscular adaptations to electrostimulation resistance training. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006; 85: 167-175
  • 3 Filipovic A, Kleinoder H, Dormann U, Mester J. Electromyostimulation--a systematic review of the effects of different electromyostimulation methods on selected strength parameters in trained and elite athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2012; 26: 2600-2614
  • 4 Gregory CM, Bickel CS. Recruitment patterns in human skeletal muscle during electrical stimulation. Phys Ther 2005; 85: 358-364
  • 5 Malatesta D, Cattaneo F, Dugnani S, Maffiuletti NA. Effects of electromyostimulation training and volleyball practice on jumping ability. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17: 573-579
  • 6 Martinez-Lopez EJ, Benito-Martinez E, Hita-Contreras F, Lara-Sanchez F, Martinez-Amat A. Effects of electrostimulation and plyometric training program combination on jump height in teenage athletes. J Sports Sci Med 2012; 11: 727-735
  • 7 Micke F, Kleinoder H, Dormann U, Wirtz N, Donath L. Effects of an Eight-week superimposed submaximal dynamic whole-body electromyostimulation training on strength and power parameters of the leg muscles: A randomized controlled intervention study. Front Physiol 2018; 9: 171-179
  • 8 Paillard T. Combined application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and voluntary muscular contractions. Sports Med 2008; 38: 161-177
  • 9 Paillard T, Noe F, Bernard N, Dupui P, Hazard C. Effects of two types of neuromuscular electrical stimulation training on vertical jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 2008; 22: 1273-1278
  • 10 Teschler M, Wassermann A, Weissenfels A, Frohlich M, Kohl M, Bebenek M, Kemmler W. Short time effect of a single session of intense whole-body electromyostimulation on energy expenditure. A contribution to fat reduction?. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2018; 43: 528-530
  • 11 Wirtz N, Wahl P, Kleinoder H, Wechsler K, Achtzehn S, Mester J. Acute metabolic, hormonal, and psychological responses to strength training with superimposed EMS at the beginning and the end of a 6-week training period. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2015; 15: 325-332
  • 12 Wirtz N, Zinner C, Doermann U, Kleinoeder H, Mester J. Effects of loaded squat exercise with and without application of superimposed EMS on physical performance. J Sports Sci Med 2016; 15: 26-33
  • 13 Kemmler W, Weissenfels A, Willert S, Shojaa M, von Stengel S, Filipovic A, Frohlich M. Efficacy and safety of low frequency whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) to improve health-related outcomes in non-athletic adults. A systematic review. Front Physiol 2018; 9: 573-593
  • 14 Kemmler W, Teschler M, Weissenfels A, Bebenek M, Frohlich M, Kohl M, von Stengel S. Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation versus high-intensity resistance exercise on body composition and strength: a randomized controlled study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016; 2016: 9236809
  • 15 Babault N, Cometti G, Bernardin M, Pousson M, Chatard JC. Effects of electromyostimulation training on muscle strength and power of elite rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 2007; 21: 431-437
  • 16 Herrero JA, Izquierdo M, Maffiuletti NA, Garcia-Lopez J. Electromyostimulation and plyometric training effects on jumping and sprint time. Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 533-539
  • 17 Filipovic A, Grau M, Kleinoder H, Zimmer P, Hollmann W, Bloch W. Effects of a whole-body electrostimulation program on strength, sprinting, jumping, and kicking capacity in elite soccer players. J Sports Sci Med 2016; 15: 639-648
  • 18 Harriss DJ, Macsween A, Atkinson G. Standards for ethics in sport and exercise science research: 2018 update. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 1126-1131
  • 19 Brzycki M. Strength testing-Predicting a one-rep max from reps-to-fatigue. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 1993; 68: 88-90
  • 20 Bosco C, Komi PV. Potentiation of the mechanical behavior of the human skeletal muscle through prestretching. Acta Physiol Scand 1979; 106: 467-472
  • 21 Bosco C. Adaptive response of human skeletal muscle to simulated hypergravity condition. Acta Physiol Scand 1985; 124: 507-513
  • 22 Zatsiorsky WM, Kraemer WJ. Science and Practice of Strength Training – second. edition Human Kinetics; Champaign IL, USA: 2006
  • 23 Bosco C. Strength assessment with the Boscoʼs test. Italian Society of Sport Science. 1999. Rome, Italy:
  • 24 Maffiuletti NA, Bramanti J, Jubeau M, Bizzini M, Deley G, Cometti G. Feasibility and efficacy of progressive electrostimulation strength training for competitive tennis players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 677-682
  • 25 Hill AV. The heat of shortening and dynamic constants of muscle. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London - Series B, Biological Sciences 1938; 126: 136-195
  • 26 Lakens D. Calculating and reporting effect sizes to facilitate cumulative science: A practical primer for t-tests and ANOVAs. Front Psychol 2013; 4: 863
  • 27 Porcari JP, Miller J, Cornwell K, Foster C, Gibson M, McLean K, Kernozek T. The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation training on abdominal strength, endurance, and selected anthropometric measures. J Sports Sci Med 2005; 4: 66-75