Effects of Acute Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Aerobic Performance during a Preseason Training Camp: A Pilot Study

Nauris Tamulevicius, Tanuj Wadhi, Guillermo R. Oviedo, Ashmeet S. Anand, Jung-Jung Tien, Fraser Houston and Eric Vlahov
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Nauris Tamulevicius: Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Tanuj Wadhi: Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Guillermo R. Oviedo: Faculty of Psychology Education and Sport Science Blanquerna, University Ramon Llull, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
Ashmeet S. Anand: Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Jung-Jung Tien: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida/HCA GME Consortium, Greater Orlando, FL 32827, USA
Fraser Houston: Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Eric Vlahov: Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Bio-electromagnetic-energy-regulation (BEMER) therapy is a technology using a low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in a biorhythmic format. BEMER has been shown to optimize recovery and decrease fatigue by increasing blood flow in microvessels. Our aim was to determine its effects during preseason training in endurance athletes. A total of 14 male cross-country runners (19.07 ± 0.92 y.o.) were placed in either the intervention (PEMF; n = 8) or control (CON; n = 6) group using a covariate-based, constrained randomization. Participants completed six running sessions at altitudes ranging from 881.83 (±135.98 m) to 1027.0 (±223.44 m) above sea level. PEMF group used BEMER therapy before and after each training session, totaling 12 times. There were no significant changes in absolute or relative VO2Peak, ventilation or maximum respiration rate for either the PEMF or CON group ( p > 0.05). There was a significant effect of time for absolute and relative ventilatory threshold (VT), and maximum heart rate, heart rate at VT and respiration rate at VT. This study was the first of its kind to study PEMF technology in combination with elevated preseason training. Results indicate some evidence for the use of PEMF therapy during short-term training camps to improve VT.

Keywords: aerobic performance; low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy; ventilatory threshold; runners (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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