Acute electrical muscle stimulation effects on strength and anaerobic power in soccer players

Abstract

Anaerobic power and lower limb muscle strength are of great importance in soccer, and various preloading strategies are used to improve these abilities. We investigated the acute effects of electrical muscle stimulation on muscle strength and anaerobic power in soccer players. Nineteen healthy male soccer players (age=21.1±1.6 y, training experience=10.1±3.2 y, height=178.1±4.0 cm, and body mass=8.9±3.7 kg) participated in the study. A placebo effect was created without telling the participants that which current (intensity) was applied. After the current applied to the quadriceps muscles, strength and anaerobic power tests were performed. Perceived exertion assessment was also collected after the performance tests. The 75 Hz current exhibited better performance in dominant (p<0.001 and d=0.75) quadriceps muscle group strength (kg). The 75 Hz current condition peak power had significantly higher values than 15 Hz (p<0.05 and d=0.38) and 104 Hz conditions (p<0.05 and d=0.60). Therefore, the 75 Hz current was the most successful in improving lower extremity strength and anaerobic power performances of soccer players. Future research should examine how to utilize sport-specific abilities related to strength and anaerobic power in soccer players for longer periods at peak.

Keywords

Soccer - Football - Electrical Muscle Stimulation - Strength - Anerobic Power

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 20. Dezember 2024

Angenommen nach Revision: 20. März 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
20. März 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. April 2025

• References

• 1 Dolci F, Hart NH, Kilding A, Chivers P, Piggott B, Spiteri T. Movement Economy in Soccer: Current Data and Limitations. Sports 2018; 6 (04) 124 https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/6/4/124 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 2 Stølen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisløff U. Physiology of soccer: an update. Sports Med 2005; 35 (06) 501-36
• 3 Cormie P, McGuigan MR, Newton RU. Developing Maximal Neuromuscular Power: Part 1 – Biological Basis of Maximal Power Production. Sports Med 2011; 41 (01) 17-38 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 4 Hartmann H, Wirth K, Keiner M, Mickel C, Sander A, Szilvas E. Short-term Periodization Models: Effects on Strength and Speed-strength Performance. Sports Med 2015; 45 (10) 1373-86 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 5 Silva JR, Nassis GP, Rebelo A. Strength training in soccer with a specific focus on highly trained players. Sports Med Open 2015; 1 (01) 17 http://www.sportsmedicine-open.com/content/1/1/17 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 6 Baroni BM, Ruas CV, Ribeiro-Alvares JB, Pinto RS. Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Torque Ratios of Professional Male Soccer Players: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 34 (01) 281-93 [cited 2024 Dec 4]
• 7 Sari C, Koz M, Salcman V, Gabrys T, Karayigit R. Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Sprint Performance after Combined Electromyostimulation and Back Squats. App Sci 2022; 12 (03) 1481. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1481 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 8 Tillin NA, Bishop D. Factors Modulating Post-Activation Potentiation and its Effect on Performance of Subsequent Explosive Activities. Sports Med 2009; 39 (02) 147-66 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 9 Kaçoğlu C, Kirkaya I. The Acute Effects of Pre-Conditioning Activities with a Weighted Vest on Subsequent Linear Sprint and Change of Direction Performance in Physical Education Students. Asian. J Educ Training 2020; 6 (03) 341-6. http://asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/EDU/article/view/1702 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 10 Till KA, Cooke C. The Effects of Postactivation Potentiation on Sprint and Jump Performance of Male Academy Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23 (07) 1960-7. https://journals.lww.com/00124278-200910000-00007 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 11 Yağci S, Pelvan SO. Investigation Effects of Different Contraction Methods on Postactivation Potential. Turkiye Klinikleri. J Sports Sci 2019; 11 (03) 138-45. https://www.turkiyeklinikleri.com/article/en--nvestigation-effects-of-different-contraction-methods-on-postactivation-potential-86747.html [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 12 Rodrigues IB, Adachi JD, Beattie KA, MacDermid JC. Development and validation of a new tool to measure the facilitators, barriers and preferences to exercise in people with osteoporosis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017; 18 (01) 540 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 13 Schink K, Reljic D, Herrmann HJ, Meyer J. et al. Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Combined With Individualized Nutritional Support Improves Body Composition in Patients With Hematological Malignancies - A Pilot Study. Front Physiol 2018; 9: 1808
• 14 Kale M, Kaçoğlu C, Gürol B. ELEKTROMYOSTİMÜLASYON ANTRENMANLARININ NÖRAL ADAPTASYON VE SPORTİF PERFORMANS ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ. HJSS 2014; 25 (03) 142-58
• 15 Seyri KM, Maffiuletti NA. Effect of Electromyostimulation Training on Muscle Strength and Sports Performance. Strength Cond J 2011; 33 (01) 70-5. https://journals.lww.com/00126548-201102000-00011 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 16 Silinskas V, GrŪnovas A, Stanislovaitiene J, Buliuolis A, Trinkunas E, Poderys J. Effect of Electrical Myostimulation on the Function of Lower Leg Muscles. J Strength Cond Res 2017; 31 (06) 1577-84. https://journals.lww.com/00124278-201706000-00016 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 17 Jubeau M, Zory R, Gondin J, Martin A, Maffiuletti NA. Late neural adaptations to electrostimulation resistance training of the plantar flexor muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 2006; 98 (02) 202-11
• 18 Marqueste T, Messan F, Hug F. et al. Effect of Repetitive Biphasic Muscle Electrostimulation Training on Vertical Jump Performances in Female Volleyball Players. Int J Sport Health Sci 2010; 8: 50-5. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ijshs/8/0/8_20090019/_article [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 19 Taifour AM, Nawaiseh AA, Khasawneh AS. Isokinetic and isometric strength after electrical stimulation on Judo players. J Phys Educ Sport 2013; 13 (03) 400-8. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84884928957&doi=10.7752%2Fjpes.2013.03064&partnerID=40&md5=1b686fe9dcf07ef4056fe56efc4ddf7a
• 20 Maffiuletti NA. Physiological and methodological considerations for the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 110 (02) 223-34 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 21 Bergquist AJ, Clair JM, Lagerquist O, Mang CS, Okuma Y, Collins DF. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation: implications of the electrically evoked sensory volley. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111 (10) 2409-26 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 22 Peckham PH, Knutson JS. Functional Electrical Stimulation for Neuromuscular Applications. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2005; 7 (01) 327-60 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 23 Egginton S, Hudlická O. Selective long-term electrical stimulation of fast glycolytic fibres increases capillary supply but not oxidative enzyme activity in rat skeletal muscles. Exp Physiol 2000; 85 (05) 567-73
• 24 Adams V. Electromyostimulation to fight atrophy and to build muscle: facts and numbers. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2018; 9 (04) 631-4 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 25 Martínez-López EJ, Benito-Martínez E, Hita-Contreras F, Lara-Sánchez A, Martínez-Amat A. Effects of electrostimulation and plyometric training program combination on jump height in teenage athletes. J Sports Sci Med 2012; 11 (04) 727-35
• 26 Kaçoğlu C, Kale M. Acute effects of lower body electromyostimulation application with two different frequencies on isokinetic strength and jumping performance. J Phys Educ Sport 2016; 16 (01) 38-45. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84961730714&doi=10.7752%2Fjpes.2016.01007&partnerID=40&md5=a84c9fdad10425efb276d0185abce8a0
• 27 Keskin K, Akçay N, Özmen T. et al. Effects of different pre-exercise strategies on jumping performance in female volleyball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2024; 65: 59-68
• 28 Nakanishi N, Oto J, Tsutsumi R. et al. Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Upper and Lower Limb Muscles in Critically Ill Patients: A Two-Center Randomized Controlled Trial. Crit Care Med 2020; 48 (11) e997-1003 [cited 2024 Dec 4]
• 29 Doucet BM, Lam A, Griffin L. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for skeletal muscle function. Yale J Biol Med 2012; 85 (02) 201-15
• 30 Devrimsel G, Metin Y, Serdaroglu Beyazal M. Short-term effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies on muscle architecture and functional capacity in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized study. Clin Rehabil 2019; 33 (03) 418-27 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 31 Pinfildi CE, Andraus RAC, Iida LM, Prado RP. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of medium and low frequency on the quadriceps femoris. Acta Ortop Bras 2018; 26 (05) 346-9. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-78522018000500346&lng=en&tlng=en [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 32 Herrero J.A., Izquierdo M, Maffiuletti N.A., García-López J. Electromyostimulation and Plyometric Training Effects on Jumping and Sprint Time. Int J Sports Med 2006; 27 (07) 533-9 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 33 Martín-López J, Sedliak M, Valadés D. et al. Impact of time-of-day and chronotype on neuromuscular performance in semi-professional female volleyball players. Chronobiol Int 2022; 39 (07) 1006-14 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 34 de Oliveira JJ, Silva AS, Baganha RJ. et al. Effect of Different Post-Activation Potentiation Intensities on Vertical Jump Performance in University Volleyball Players. J Exerc Physiol Online 2018; 21 (02) 90. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A535825177/AONE?u=usp_br&sid=googleScholar&xid=03c5a1d5 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 35 McCann MR, Flanagan SP. The Effects of Exercise Selection and Rest Interval on Postactivation Potentiation of Vertical Jump Performance. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24 (05) 1285-91. https://journals.lww.com/00124278-201005000-00018 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 36 Patterson SD, Bezodis NE, Glaister M, Pattison JR. The Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Repeated Sprint Cycling Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47 (08) 1652-8. https://journals.lww.com/00005768-201508000-00012 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 37 Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods 2007; 39 (02) 175-91
• 38 Bohannon RW. Hand-held compared with isokinetic dynamometry for measurement of static knee extension torque (parallel reliability of dynamometers). Clin Phys Physiol Meas 1990; 11 (03) 217-22 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 39 Trudelle-Jackson E, Jackson AW, Frankowski CM, Long KM, Meske NB. Interdevice Reliability and Validity Assessment of the Nicholas Hand-Held Dynamometer. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1994; 20 (06) 302-6 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 40 Inbar O, Bar-Or O, Skinner JS. The Wingate Anaerobic Test. Human Kinetics; 1996. https://books.google.com.br/books?id=PfdqAAAAMAAJ
• 41 Bouffard S, Paradis-Deschênes P, Billaut F. Neuromuscular Adjustments Following Sprint Training with Ischemic Preconditioning in Endurance Athletes: Preliminary Data. Sports (Basel, Switzerland) 2021; 9 (09) 124. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/9/9/124 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 42 Foster C, Boullosa D, McGuigan M. et al. 25 Years of Session Rating of Perceived Exertion: Historical Perspective and Development. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2021; 16 (05) 612-21. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijspp/16/5/article-p612.xml [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 43 Do Carmo EC, De Souza EO, Roschel H. et al. Self-selected Rest Interval Improves Vertical Jump Postactivation Potentiation. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35 (01) 91-6 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 44 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 (04) 1273-8. https://journals.lww.com/00124278-200807000-00034 [cited 2024 Sep 20]
• 45 Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge; 2013
• 46 Lee MC, Ho CS, Hsu YJ, Wu MF, Huang CC. Effect of 8-week frequency-specific electrical muscle stimulation combined with resistance exercise training on muscle mass, strength, and body composition in men and women: a feasibility and safety study. PeerJ 2023; 11: 16303. https://peerj.com/articles/16303 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 47 Filipovic A, DeMarees M, Grau M. et al. Superimposed Whole-Body Electrostimulation Augments Strength Adaptations and Type II Myofiber Growth in Soccer Players During a Competitive Season. Front Physiol 2019; 10: 1187 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 48 Ludwig O, Berger J, Schuh T, Backfisch M, Becker S, Fröhlich M. Can A Superimposed Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Intervention Enhance the Effects of a 10-Week Athletic Strength Training in Youth Elite Soccer Players?. J Sports Sci Med 2020; 19 (03) 535-46
• 49 Duthie GM, Young WB, Aitken DA. The acute effects of heavy loads on jump squat performance: an evaluation of the complex and contrast methods of power development. J Strength Cond Res 2002; 16 (04) 530-8
• 50 McBride JM, Nimphius S, Erickson TM. The Acute Effects of Heavy-Load Squats and Loaded Countermovement Jumps on Sprint Performance. J Strength Cond Res 2005; 19 (04) 893-7. http://nsca.allenpress.com/nscaonline/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1519%2FR-16304.1 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 51 Dreibati B, Lavet C, Pinti A, Poumarat G. Influence of electrical stimulation frequency on skeletal muscle force and fatigue. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2010; 53 (04) 266-71. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1877065710000606 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 52 Maffiuletti NA, Minetto MA, Farina D, Bottinelli R. Electrical stimulation for neuromuscular testing and training: state-of-the art and unresolved issues. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111 (10) 2391-7 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 53 Lake DA. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: An Overview and its Application in the Treatment of Sports Injuries. Sports Med 1992; 13 (05) 320-36 [cited 2025 Feb 6]
• 54 Toth MJ, Tourville TW, Voigt TB. et al. Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial. Am J Sports Med 2020; 48 (10) 2429-37 [cited 2025 Feb 6]