AUTHOR=Amaro-Gahete Francisco J. , De-la-O Alejandro , Sanchez-Delgado Guillermo , Robles-Gonzalez Lidia , Jurado-Fasoli Lucas , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Gutierrez Angel 

TITLE=Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Improves Performance-Related Parameters in Runners

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01576

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2018.01576

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>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 (<italic>n</italic> = 6; 27.0 ± 7.5 years; 70.1 ± 11.1 kg; 1.75 ± 0.5 m) or control (<italic>n</italic> = 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) VO<sub>2</sub>max, 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 VO<sub>2</sub>max, aerobic and gas exchange threshold values, running economy, and vertical jump (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 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.</p>