Effect of plyometric training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation assisted strength training on muscular, sprint, and functional performances in collegiate male football players

Abstract

Background The study’s objective was to analyze the influence of an 8-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with a plyometric (PT) and strength training (ST) program on muscular, sprint, and functional performances in collegiate male football players. Methods Sixty collegiate male football players participated in this randomized controlled trial single-blind study. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups: (1) NMES group (Experimental, n = 30) who received NMES assisted ST and (2) sham NMES group (Control, n = 30) who received sham NMES assisted ST. In addition, participants from both groups received a PT program; both groups received intervention on three days a week for 8-weeks. The study’s outcomes, such as muscular, sprint, and functional performances, were assessed using a strength test (STN) for quadriceps muscle, sprint test (ST), and single-leg triple hop test (SLTHT), respectively, at baseline pre-intervention and 8-week post-intervention. The interaction between group and time was identified using a mixed design (2 × 2) ANOVA. Results Significant difference found across the two time points for the scores of STN: F (1.58) = 5,479.70, p < 0.05; SLTHT: F (1.58) = 118.17, p < 0.05; and ST: F (1.58) = 201.63, p < 0.05. Similarly, the significant differences were found between groups averaged across time for the scores of STN: F (1.58) = 759.62, p < 0.05 and ST: F (1.58) = 10.08, p < 0.05. In addition, after 8-week of training, Cohen’s d observed between two groups a large to medium treatment’s effect size for the outcome STN (d = 10.84) and ST (d = 1.31). However, a small effect size was observed only for the SLTHT (d = 0.613). Conclusions Findings suggest that the effect of PT and ST with either NMES or sham NMES are equally capable of enhancing muscular, sprint, and functional performances in collegiate male football players. However, PT and ST with NMES have shown an advantage over PT and ST with sham NMES in improving muscular performance and sprint performance among the same participants.

Effect of 8-week frequency-specific electrical muscle stimulation combined with resistance exercise training on muscle mass, strength, and body composition in men and women: a feasibility and safety study

“…Plyometric training has been shown to enhance the expression of fast-twitch myosin heavy chain isoforms, which can contribute to increased muscle force generation. The proportion of muscle fiber types also influences the muscle’s ability to generate force, and targeting a higher percentage of type II fibers compared to type I fibers can lead to improvements in overall muscle strength and performance ( Rahmati, Gondin & Malakoutinia, 2021 ; Hasan et al, 2022 ). EMS has been reported to enhance the force-generating capacity of muscles by preferentially stimulating adaptations in type II fibers, promoting actin-myosin bridging with calcium ( Kaplan et al, 2002 ).…”

The Football Players on Plyometric Exercise: A Systematic Review

“…This occurs by utilizing the adaptation of shortening stretch cycles through the neuromuscular system to promote greater leg muscle strength and agility improvements. In addition to its advantages, plyometric training also has disadvantages that some professional athletes do not use this exercise because it has a high potential for injury (Hasan et al, 2022). Plyometric training is carried out in a short time and requires very strong muscle strength so as to increase neural adaptation, muscle hypertrophy, cell adaptation, muscle endurance and cardiovascular adaptation, so it is important to warm up and cool down so that the body is able to adapt before exercising.…”

Combined Effects of Plyometric Exercise with Dynamic Taping and Kinesio Taping On Muscle Power, Speed, And Muscle Strength Among University Male Football Players – A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…21 A comprehensive review by Kons et al included twenty-nine meta-analyses and concluded that plyometrics is useful for enhancing sport-specific fitness markers. 22 Additionally, the researchers combined plyometrics with different surfaces, 23 balance exercises, 24 Pilates, 25 resistance training, 26 cyclings, 27 neuromuscular electrical stimulation, 28 isometrics, 29 agility, 30 strengthening exercises, 31 whole-body vibrations, 32 Asanas, 33 and eccentric exercises, 34 for the improvement of on-field performances. Thus, we hypothesized that the combined effect of plyometrics and DT is better than KT and no tape to improve sport-specific fitness parameters.…”