Electroacupunctrue / muscle stimulation as routine part of fitness training

[Guest guest]

Hi All who treat human or animal athletes,

 

Those who treat human athletes (footballers, runners, jumpers, tennis

players, etc) or animal athletes (racehorses, showjumpers, greyhounds, etc)

may be interested in this article:

 

Babault N, Cometti G, Bernardin M, Pousson M, Chatard JC. Babault, N., G.

Cometti, M. Bernardin, M. Pousson, and J.-C. Chatard. Effects of

electromyostimulation training on muscle strength and power of elite rugby

players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 21(2):431-437. 2007. The present study

investigated the influence of a 12-week electromyostimulation (EMS) training

program performed by elite rugby players. 25 rugby players participated in

the study, 15 in an electrostimulated group and the remaining 10 in a control

group. EMS was conducted on the knee extensor, plantar flexor, and gluteus

muscles. During the first 6 weeks, training sessions were carried out 3 times

a week and during the last 6 weeks, once a week. Isokinetic torque of the

knee extensors was determined at different eccentric and concentric angular

velocities ranging from -120 to 360 degrees.s(-1). Scrummaging and full

squat strength, vertical jump height and sprint-running times were also

evaluated. After the first 6 weeks of EMS, only the squat strength was

significantly improved (+8.3 +/- 6.5%; p < 0.01). After the 12th week, the -

120 degrees .s(-1) maximal eccentric, 120 and 240 degrees .s(-1) maximal

concentric torque (p < 0.05), squat strength (+15.0 +/- 8.0%; p < 0.001),

squat jump (+10.0 +/- 9.5%; p < 0.01), and drop jump from a 40-cm height

(+6.6 +/- 6.1%; p < 0.05) were significantly improved. No significant change

was observed for the control group. A 12-week EMS training program

demonstrated beneficial effects on muscle strength and power in elite rugby

players on particular tests. However, rugby skills such as scrummaging and

sprinting were not enhanced. PMID: 17530954 [PubMed - in process]

 

Phil's comment: The article suggests that, as part of routine training,

electrostimulation of relevant muscles can enhance muscle strength and

performance.

 

In that study (in rugby-players), only muscles of the pelvic limb were

stimulated. However, vets who treat quadrupeds could adapt the protocol to

include stimulation of the neck, thoracic and lumbar paravertebral muscles,

and the heavy muscles of the thoracic limb.

 

Vets who specialise in treating animal athletes could teach their clients how

to use TENS to stimulate the main muscles daily as part of routine fitness-

training of their horses / dogs.

 

What would you think of the following points for routine use daily in equine /

canine athletes?:

 

Neck muscles:

GB20 to GB21, bilateral

 

Thoracic limb muscles:

SJ15 to SJ10, alternating with BL13 to SJ14, bilateral

 

Thoracic & lumbar paravertebral muscles:

BL13 to BL21, alternating with BL21 to BL26, bilateral

 

Sacroiliac and rump muscles:

BL27 to BL35, bilateral

 

Thigh muscles:

(a) GB30 to ST36, alternating with GB30 to GB34, bilateral.

(b) BL36 to BL40, bilateral

 

Should we consider routine stimulation of other muscles, such as the

pectorals, muscles below elbow / stifle, muscles of the inner thigh, etc?

 

Best regards,