WB-EMS Improves Performance-Related Parameters in Runners

Yes, increasing your performance while reducing your endurance training is possible, just with WB-EMS. 

We already know that EMS has multiple benefits, some of them previously approached here, yet we have so many more to discuss. 

With WB-EMS, training less yet achieving more is also possible. 

How?

A recent study showed that excellent results can be achieved while reducing the running training frequency to one per week when accompanied by one weekly session of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS).

The study was completed by twelve men who were running frequently (two to three times per week for a total of 90-180 minutes) yet for the duration of the study, half of them reduced their running to only one session and added to their routine a weekly session of WB-EMS.

During the six weeks of the study, all of the participants were encouraged to keep their previous nutrition habits and while half of the group was getting less training, the other half was continuing as per the usual routine.

A series of factors were analyzed such as:

• maximum oxygen consumption, 
• running economy, 
• muscular power, 
• vertical jump.

At the end of the six-week study, all of these factors increased for the half of the group that performed less training, compared to the half that made no changes. This is important, especially since at the beginning of the study, there was no physical difference among the participants.

This is huge news, especially when at times, a period of rest might be imposed when the athlete is sick, injured, or goes through transition periods. Commonly known as detraining, it largely refers to a partial loss of training-induced physiological and performance adaptations, due to weeks of training cessation, therefore training alternatives must be found. 

Even though it’s not a sure thing yet that the study can be extended to elite athletes, since the scope of performance in these individuals is lower, the results are promising and are to lead the way in finding training possibilities and alternatives.