Acute effects of whole-body electromyostimulation training on vertical and horizontal jump, isokinetic strength and freestyle swimming in swimmers according to gender

The purpose of this study was to investigate acute effects of whole-body EMS training on vertical and horizontal jumping, isokinetic strength, and swimming in swimmers according to gender. Nineteen volunteer swimmers [female group (FG) (n=7, age: 18.492.39year, height: 166.697.28cm, body weight :61.1612.23kg) and male group (MG) (n=12, age: 16.582.07year, height: 174.359.42cm, body weight: 67.918.49kg)] participated to study. Anthropometric measurements and pre-tests of vertical and horizontal squat and countermovement jumps, shoulder, knee and hip extension/flexion isokinetic strength for right and left sides at 60, 180, and 300o.s-1angular velocities and 25m freestyle swimming were performed respectively. Participants were taken to the post-tests using the same procedures after whole body EMS training. Independent sample t-test was used for between-group pre- and post-test comparisons. Paired sample t-test was used for within-group pre- and post-test comparisons. The significance level was p<0.05. While no statistically significant difference was found in 25m freestyle swimming tests for within-groups. Statistically significant differences within groups were found in all variables except squat jump-height and -power of FG (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in right shoulder E of FG at 60, 180, and 300os-1 (p<0.05), left shoulder F of MG at 60os-1 (p<0.001), left hip E of MG at 60 and 180os-1 (p<0.05) and left knee E of FG at 60os-1 (p<0.05). The effect of whole-body EMS training on vertical and horizontal jumps and some isokinetic strength variables of MG and FG showed that it can be used as a training to support the strength development of swimmers.