Influence of Whole-Body Electrostimulation on Human Red Blood Cell Deformability. Issue 9 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Filipovic, Andre; Kleinöder, Heinz; Plück, Denise; Hollmann, Wildor; Bloch, Wilhelm; Grau, Marijke
• Is Part Of: Journal of strength and conditioning research. Volume 29:Issue 9(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: strength training -- RBC deformability -- RBC-NOS activation -- elite athletes; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Weight training -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Physical fitness -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-8011

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Filipovic, A, Kleinöder, H, Plück, D, Hollmann, W, Bloch, W, and Grau, M. Influence of whole-body electrostimulation on human red blood cell deformability. J Strength Cond Res 29(9): 2570–2578, 2015—Red blood cell–nitric oxide synthase (RBC-NOS)–dependent NO production is essential for the maintenance of RBC deformability, which is known to improve oxygen supply to the working tissue. Electrostimulation of the whole body (WB-EMS) has been shown to improve maximal strength, springiness, and jumping power of trained and untrained athletes. To examine whether these 2 parameters are associated, this study, for the first time, aimed to investigate the effects of an 18-week dynamic WB-EMS program on RBC deformability in addition to maximal strength performance (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) in elite soccer players. Fifteen test persons were assigned in either WB-EMS group (EG, n = 10) or training group (TG, n = 5). Next to their weekly training sessions, EG performed 3 × 10 squat jumps under the influence of WB-EMS twice per week between weeks 1 and 14 and once per week between weeks 14 and 18. Training group only performed 3 × 10 squat jumps. Performance was assessed by a maximal strength test on the leg press machine (1RM). Subjects were tested at baseline and after weeks 7, 14, and 18 with blood sampling before (Pre), 15–30 minutes after (Post), and 24 hours after (24-hour Post) the training. The results showed that maximal strength was significantly improved in EG ( p < 0.01). Maximum RBC deformability (EImax) increased on EMS stimulus in EG while it remained unaffected in the TG. Acute increase in EImax at baseline was explained by an increase in RBC-NOS activation while chronic increase of deformability must be caused by different, yet unknown, mechanisms. EImax decreased between weeks 14 and 18 suggesting that 1 WB-EMS session per week is not sufficient to alter deformability (EImax). In contrast, the deformability at low shear stress (EI 3 Pa), comparable with conditions found in the microcirculation, significantly increased in EG until week 14, whereas in TG deformability only, increased until week 7 due to increasing training volume after the winter break. The results indicate that WB-EMS represents a useful and time-saving addition to conventional training sessions to improve RBC deformability and possibly oxygen supply to the working tissue and thus promoting general force components in high performance sport.