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

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Joshua BergerTechnische Universität Kaiserslautern

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Oliver LudwigTechnische Universität Kaiserslautern

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Stephan BeckerTechnische Universität Kaiserslautern

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Wolfgang KemmlerFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

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Michael FröhlichTechnische Universität Kaiserslautern

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijatt.2020-0016
Keywords:
strength training; WB-EMS; road cycling; youth athlete; performance diagnostics
First Published Online:
11 Nov 2020
In Print:
Volume 26: Issue 2
Page Range:
96–100
Restricted access

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.
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