Effects of an 8-Week Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Training on Cycling Performance, Back Pain, and Posture of a 17-Year-Old Road Cyclist

in International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training
Joshua Berger * , 1 , Oliver Ludwig * , 1 , Stephan Becker * , 1 , Wolfgang Kemmler * , 2 , and Michael Fröhlich * , 1
View More View Less
  • 1 Technische Universität Kaiserslautern
  • 2 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijatt.2020-0016
Keywords:
strength training; WB-EMS; road cycling; youth athlete; performance diagnostics
In Print:
Volume 26: Issue 2
Pages:
96–100
Restricted access

Purchase article

USD  $24.95

Student 1 year online subscription

USD  $76.00

1 year online subscription

USD  $101.00

Student 2 year online subscription

USD  $144.00

2 year online subscription

USD  $192.00
Subscribe to this Journal

  • Purchase article

    USD  $24.95

  • Student 1 year online subscription

    USD  $76.00

  • 1 year online subscription

    USD  $101.00

  • Student 2 year online subscription

    USD  $144.00

  • 2 year online subscription

    USD  $192.00

A 17-year-old male road cyclist with unspecific back pain and postural deficiency regarding the depth of the lumbar lordosis (flèche lombaire [fl]) and the upper body tilt (forward trunk tilt [tt]) absolved an 8-week whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training to improve performance parameters and health issues. During WB-EMS, muscle groups all over the body are stimulated via external electrodes, thus creating an intensive training stimulus due to the electrically induced involuntary muscle contraction. The athlete’s posture (fl 2.2%, tt 64.3%) and back pain (54%) improved, and trunk strength increased (extension 15.5%, flexion 29.2%). This is the first WB-EMS study of a minor cyclist, suggesting positive effects of WB-EMS as a time-saving strength training method on health and strength parameters.

Berger, Ludwig, Becker, and Fröhlich are with the Department of Sports Science, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Kemmler is with the Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.

Berger (joshua.berger@sowi.uni-kl.de) is corresponding author.

International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training

Cover International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training
  • 1.

    Wagner A, Mühlenhoff S, Sandig D. Krafttraining im Radsport. Methoden und Übungen zur Leistungssteigerung und Prävention. München, Germany: Urban & Fischer; 2010.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Bund Deutscher Radfahrer BDR. Nachwuchsprogramm. Frankfurt, Germany: Referat Leistungssport; 2009.
  • 3.

    Sandig D, Wirth K, Schmidtbleicher D. Krafttraining im Radsport—ein Diskussionsbeitrag zu Struktur, Anpassung und Trainingsmethoden. Leistungssport. 2006;36(6):16–20.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Schmidtbleicher D. Training for power events. In: Komi PV, ed. Strength and Power in Sport. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1992:381–395.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Sandig D, Schmidtbleicher D, Emrich E, Güllich A. Zur Funktionalität von Rahmentrainingsplänen im Leistungssport—erste Ergebnisse am Beispiel des Bahnradsports. Leistungssport. 2005;35(6):8–12.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Berger J, Becker S, Backfisch M, Eifler C, Kemmler W, Fröhlich M. Adjustment effects of maximum current tolerance during whole-body electromyostimulation training. Front Physiol. 2019;10:920. PubMed ID: 31396098 doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00920

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Berger J, Ludwig O, Becker S, Backfisch M, Kemmler W, Fröhlich M. Effects of an impulse frequency dependent 10-week whole-body electromyostimulation training program on specific sport performance parameters. J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(2):271–281. PubMed ID: 32390720

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Filipovic A, Kleinöder H, Dörmann U, Mester J. Electromyostimulation—a systematic review of the influence of training regimens and stimulation parameters on effectiveness in electromyostimulation training of selected strength parameters. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(11):3218–3238. PubMed ID: 21993042 doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318212e3ce

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Weissenfels A, Teschler M, Willert S, et al. Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on chronic nonspecific low back pain in adults: a randomized controlled study. J Pain Res. 2018;11:1949–1957. doi:10.2147/JPR.S164904

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Kemmler W, Teschler M, Weissenfels A, et al. Whole-body electromyostimulation to fight sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older women at risk. Results of the randomized controlled FORMOsA–sarcopenic obesity study. Osteoporos Int. 2016;27(11):3261–3270. PubMed ID: 27289534 doi:10.1007/s00198-016-3662-z

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    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(3):535–546. PubMed ID: 32874107

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    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. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01187

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Kemmler W, Teschler M, Weißenfels A, et al. 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. PubMed ID: 27034699 doi:10.1155/2016/9236809

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Filipovic A, Grau M, Kleinöder 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(4):639–648. PubMed ID: 27928210

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Kemmler W, Weissenfels A, Willert S, et al. 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. PubMed ID: 29875684 doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00573

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Salai M, Brosh T, Blankstein A, Oran A, Chechik A. Effect of changing the saddle angle on the incidence of low back pain in recreational bicyclists. Br J Sports Med. 1999;33(6):398–400. PubMed ID: 10597848 doi:10.1136/bjsm.33.6.398

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    Srinivasan J, Balasubramanian V. Low back pain and muscle fatigue due to road cycling—an sEMG study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2006;11(3):260–266. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2006.08.009

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Ludwig O, Berger J, Fröhlich M. Influence of whole-body-electromyostimulation on posture and trunk muscle force. Ger J Exerc Sport Res. 2019;49(Suppl 1):17.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Weissenfels A, Wirtz N, Dörmann U, et al. Comparison of whole-body electromyostimulation versus recognized back-strengthening exercise training on chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled study. BioMed Res Int. 2019;2019:5745409. doi:10.1155/2019/5745409

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Kemmler W, Fröhlich M, von Stengel S, Kleinöder H. Whole-body electromyostimulation? The need for common sense! Rationale and guideline for a safe and effective training. Dtsch Z Sportmed. 2016;67(9):218–221. doi:10.5960/dzsm.2016.246

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Dolphens M, Vansteelandt S, Cagnie B, Nijs J, Danneels L. Factors associated with low back and neck pain in young adolescence: a multivariable modeling study. Physiotherapy. 2015;101(Suppl 1):e1090–e1091. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1983

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    Burnett AF, Cornelius MW, Dankaerts W, O’Sullivan PB. Spinal kinematics and trunk muscle activity in cyclists: a comparison between healthy controls and non-specific chronic low back pain subjects—a pilot investigation. Man Ther. 2004;9(4):211–219. PubMed ID: 15522646 doi:10.1016/j.math.2004.06.002

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Van Hoof W, Volkaerts K, O’Sullivan K, Verschueren S, Dankaerts W. Comparing lower lumbar kinematics in cyclists with low back pain (flexion pattern) versus asymptomatic controls—–field study using a wireless posture monitoring system. Man Ther. 2012;17(4):312–317. PubMed ID: 22436688 doi:10.1016/j.math.2012.02.012

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Kemmler W, Weissenfels A, Willert S, et al. Recommended contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Ger J Sports Med/Dtsch Z Sportmed. 2019;70(11):278–282. doi:10.5960/dzsm.2019.401

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Souissi N, Bessot N, Chamari K, Gauthier A, Sesboüé B, Davenne D. Effect of time of day on aerobic contribution to the 30-s Wingate test performance. Chronobiol Int. 2007;24(4):739–748. PubMed ID: 17701684 doi:10.1080/07420520701535811

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Stagnara P, De Mauroy JC, Dran G, et al. Reciprocal angulation of vertebral bodies in a sagittal plane: approach to references for the evaluation of kyphosis and lordosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1982;7(4):335–342. PubMed ID: 7135066 doi:10.1097/00007632-198207000-00003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Myles PS, Troedel S, Boquest M, Reeves M. The pain visual analog scale: is it linear or nonlinear? Anesth Analg. 1999;89(6):1517–1520. PubMed ID: 10589640 doi:10.1097/00000539-199912000-00038

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 28.

    Filipovic A, Kleinöder H, Dörmann 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(9):2600–2614. PubMed ID: 22067247 doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823f2cd1

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 29.

    Micke F, Kleinöder H, Dörmann 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;9:1719. PubMed ID: 30568596 doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01719

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 30.

    Ludwig O, Berger J, Becker S, Kemmler W, Fröhlich M. The impact of whole-body electromyostimulation on body posture and trunk muscle strength in untrained persons. Front Physiol. 2019;10:1020. PubMed ID: 31481895 doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01020

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 31.

    Asplund C, Ross M. Core stability and bicycling. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010;9(3):155–160. PubMed ID: 20463499 doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3181de0f91
  • 32.

    Chun SW, Lim CY, Kim K, Hwang J, Chung SG. The relationships between low back pain and lumbar lordosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J. 2017;17(8):1180–1191. PubMed ID: 28476690 doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2017.04.034

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 33.

    Sorensen CJ, Norton BJ, Callaghan JP, Hwang C-T, Van Dillen LR. Is lumbar lordosis related to low back pain development during prolonged standing? Man Ther. 2015;20(4):553–557. PubMed ID: 25637464 doi:10.1016/j.math.2015.01.001

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 34.

    Teschler M, Mooren FC. (Whole-body) electromyostimulation, muscle damage, and immune system: a mini review. Front Physiol. 2019;10:1461. PubMed ID: 31849709 doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01461

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 35.

    Teschler M, Weissenfels A, Bebenek M, et al. (Very) high creatine kinase (CK) levels after whole-body electromyostimulation. Are there implications for health? Int J Clin Exp Med. 2016;9(11):22841–22850.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 101 101 83
Full Text Views 58 58 38
PDF Downloads 38 38 27