Assessment of the Strength Parameters of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles in Polish University Students after a 3-Week Program of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Using the RSQ1 Method

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Blood Flow Restriction in Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The present study aimed to examine and compare the effects of a rehabilitation exercise (RE) using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle function and knee functional abilities in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). A total of 45 patients who underwent ACLR (28.76 ± 0.8 years; 34 males and 11 females) were retrospectively divided into three groups: control (CON, n = 15), NMES (n = 15), and BFR (n = 15). All participants carried out the RE program for 60 min, thrice a week for 12 weeks. The Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, thigh circumference at 5 cm from the knee joint, Y-balance posterior medial, and lateral significantly increased in all groups via intervention (p < 0.05). However, NMES showed a higher thigh circumference at 15 cm from the knee joint than CON via intervention (p < 0.05), and the strength and endurance of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings and Y-balance anterior showed a significant increase via intervention in NMES and BFR compared with CON (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we confirmed that RE using NMES and BFR effectively enhances muscle function and balance in ACLR patients.

Effect of electromyostimulation and plyometrics training on sports-specific parameters in badminton players

Badminton is one of the world's most popular racquet sports, demanding motor skills such as agility and vertical jump mainly for striking a shuttlecock. This study compared the effects of four weeks of plyometric training and electromyostimulation of knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscles on agility, 30-m sprint, lower limb explosive power and jumping ability amongst badminton players. State-level badminton players (n ​= ​90) were randomly allocated into three groups: plyometric (PG), electromyostimulation (EG) and control group (CG), each with 30 players. Randomized-to-Groups Pretest-Posttest Design with two experimental (plyometric and electromyostimulation) groups and a control group was used. The plyometric training was carried out two times/week while the EMS training was four times/week for four weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. All three groups continued their general badminton training throughout the study. Players were assessed for agility, a 30-m sprint, a standing broad jump and a vertical jump height before and after four weeks. A significant improvement (p ​= ​0.01) in 30-m sprint time was observed (3.83%) in PG as compared to controls. Jumping ability was significantly improved in both the PG and EG in comparison to the controls (4.45%, p ​= ​0.003 for PG and 3.95%, p ​= ​0.048 for EG). No significant improvement was found in agility and lower limb explosive power in either of the PG or EG groups in comparison to the controls. Plyometric training showed significant improvement in sprint time and jumping ability, whereas electromyostimulation training showed significant improvement only in jumping ability.