Investigation of the effects of recovery with electro muscle stimulation following sport climbing

Purpose: The technological developments of today's world also influence the subjects of the studies on sports sciences. In this study, it is aimed to examine the effects of recovery protocol applied with new generation technological electrostimulation (EMS) device on the performance of sport climbers. Material and Methods: Ten male climbers aged between 30 and 36 years, 1.78±0.06 m body height and 74.3±5.01 kg body weight, volunteered to participate in the study (means±SD). Climbing Test Protocol (CTP), which consist of 15 sets of 1-minute climbing and 1-minute rest was applied to the climbers. Total number of moves, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (BORG), low, medium and high-weight dead hang times, total number of sit-ups and push-ups were recorded before and after every TTP. Climbers were subjected to passive recovery protocol during the first CTP, and then EMS recovery protocol during the second CTP. A one-week rest break was given between two different recovery protocols. SPSS package program was used for statistical analyzes (p<0.05). Results: While the total number of moves measured in climbers decreased significantly after passive rest protocol, this decrease was not observed after rest protocol with EMS. Resting protocol with EMS was found to be ~25% more effective than passive recovery (p<0.01). EMS was found to be ~10%, ~22% and ~28% more efficient on dead hang test time for low, medium and high intensity, respectively (p<0.01). In addition, it was determined that push-up performances did not deteriorate after EMS resting protocol (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this present study which focuses on the differences between EMS and passive recovery protocols in sport climbers, it is observed that the EMS recovery protocol has a significant positive effect on the variables that determine climbing performance. Within the results of the study, it can be said that EMS recovery protocol is effective in maintaining the climbing performance.