The impact of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on recovery after intensive, muscle damaging, maximal speed training in professional team sports players. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Tom; West, Daniel J.; Howatson, Glyn; Jones, Chris; Bracken, Richard M.; Love, Thomas D.; Cook, Christian J.; Swift, Eamon; Baker, Julien S.; Kilduff, Liam P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 18:Issue 3(2015:May)
• Page Start: 328
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.04.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Objectives</title> <p id="spar0005">During congested fixture periods in team sports, limited recovery time and increased travel hinder the implementation of many recovery strategies; thus alternative methods are required. We examined the impact of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device on 24-h recovery from an intensive training session in professional players.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Design</title> <p id="spar0010">Twenty-eight professional rugby and football academy players completed this randomised and counter-balanced study, on 2 occasions, separated by 7 days.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Methods</title> <p id="spar0015">After baseline perceived soreness, blood (lactate and creatine kinase) and saliva (testosterone and cortisol) samples were collected, players completed a standardised warm-up and baseline countermovement jumps (jump height). Players then completed 60 m × 50 m maximal sprints, with 5 min recovery between efforts. After completing the sprint session, players wore a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device or remained in normal attire (CON) for 8 h. All measures were repeated immediately, 2 and 24-h post-sprint.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Results</title> <p id="spar0020">Player jump height was reduced from baseline at all time points under both conditions; however, at 24-h neuromuscular electrical stimulation was significantly more recovered (mean ± SD; neuromuscular electrical stimulation −3.2 ± 3.2 vs. CON −7.2 ± 3.7%; <italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Creatine kinase concentrations increased at all time points under both conditions, but at 24-h was lower under neuromuscular electrical stimulation (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). At 24-h, perceived soreness was significantly lower under neuromuscular electrical stimulation, when compared to CON (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02). There was no effect of condition on blood lactate, or saliva testosterone and cortisol responses (<italic>P</italic> > 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0030">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0025">Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves recovery from intensive training in professional team sports players. This strategy offers an easily applied recovery strategy which may have particular application during sleep and travel.</p> </sec> </abstract>