Can Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Enhance the Effect of Sprint Interval Training?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with voluntary exercise between repeated Wingate tests on sprint exercise performance and blood lactate accumulation during sprint interval training. Fifteen healthy young males volunteered. After 1-min baseline, participants underwent the Wingate test twice. They performed a 4-min intervention between tests: neuromuscular electrical stimulation with free-weight cycling or voluntary cycling alone [43.6 (8.0) watts], which matched oxygen consumption with neuromuscular electrical stimulation with free-weight cycling. The blood lactate concentration was assessed at the end of the baseline, at 3-min intervention, and on recovery at 1, 3, 5, and 10 min after the second Wingate test. Peak and mean blood lactate concentration during recovery were significantly greater with neuromuscular electrical stimulation with free-weight cycling than voluntary cycling alone (P>0.036 and P=0.011, respectively). Peak power, mean power, and rate of decline (fatigue index) were not significantly different between conditions in both Wingate tests (condition/interaction all P>0.300, partial η²<0.1). Subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with voluntary exercise indicated similar exercise performance and fatigue levels during Wingate tests, but enhanced blood lactate accumulation compared to oxygen consumption-matched voluntary cycling during sprint interval training.

Keywords

subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation - lactate - sprint interval training

Publication History

Received: 08 November 2023

Accepted: 22 January 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 January 2024

Article published online:
22 April 2024

• References

• 1 Parra J, Cadefau JA, Rodas G. et al. The distribution of rest periods affects performance and adaptations of energy metabolism induced by high-intensity training in human muscle. Acta Physiol Scand 2000; 169: 157-165
• 2 Metcalfe RS, Babraj JA, Fawkner SG. et al. Towards the minimal amount of exercise for improving metabolic health: beneficial effects of reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training. Eur J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 2767-2775
• 3 Little JP, Safdar A, Wilkin GP. et al. A practical model of low-volume high-intensity interval training induces mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle: Potential mechanisms. J Physiol 2010; 588: 1011-1022
• 4 Burgomaster KA, Howarth KR, Phillips SM. et al. Similar metabolic adaptations during exercise after low volume sprint interval and traditional endurance training in humans. J Physiol 2008; 586: 151-160
• 5 Burgomaster KA, Hughes SC, Heigenhauser GJ. et al. Six sessions of sprint interval training increases muscle oxidative potential and cycle endurance capacity in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2005; 98: 1985-1990
• 6 Kitaoka Y, Takeda K, Tamura Y. et al. Lactate administration increases mRNA expression of PGC-1alpha and UCP3 in mouse skeletal muscle. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2016; 41: 695-698
• 7 Scarpulla RC. Nuclear activators and coactivators in mammalian mitochondrial biogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta 2002; 1576: 1-14
• 8 Takeda R, Nojima H, Nishikawa T. et al. Subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation can maintain Wingate test performance but augment blood lactate accumulation. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124: 433-444
• 9 Jubeau M, Gondin J, Martin A. et al. Random motor unit activation by electrostimulation. Int J Sports Med 2007; 28: 901-904
• 10 Blazevich AJ, Collins DF, Millet GY. et al. Enhancing Adaptations to Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training Interventions. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2021; 49: 244-252
• 11 Gregory CM, Bickel CS. Recruitment patterns in human skeletal muscle during electrical stimulation. Phys Ther 2005; 85: 358-364
• 12 Bonen A. The expression of lactate transporters (MCT1 and MCT4) in heart and muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2001; 86: 6-11
• 13 Bar-Or O. The Wingate anaerobic test. An update on methodology, reliability and validity. Sports Med 1987; 4: 381-394
• 14 Watanabe K, Takada T, Kawade S. et al. Effect of exercise intensity on metabolic responses on combined application of electrical stimulation and voluntary exercise. Physiol Rep 2021; 9: e14758
• 15 Grassi B, Pogliaghi S, Rampichini S. et al. Muscle oxygenation and pulmonary gas exchange kinetics during cycling exercise on-transitions in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2003; 95: 149-158
• 16 De Blasi RA, Cope M, Elwell C. et al. Noninvasive measurement of human forearm oxygen consumption by near infrared spectroscopy. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1993; 67: 20-25
• 17 Brooks GA. The lactate shuttle during exercise and recovery. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1986; 18: 360-368
• 18 Stainsby WN, Brooks GA. Control of lactic acid metabolism in contracting muscles and during exercise. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 1990; 18: 29-63
• 19 Borzuola R, Nuccio S, Scalia M. et al. Adjustments in the motor unit discharge behavior following neuromuscular electrical stimulation compared to voluntary contractions. Front Physiol 2023; 14: 1212453
• 20 Buchheit M, Laursen PB. High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle. Part II: Anaerobic energy, neuromuscular load and practical applications. Sports Med 2013; 43: 927-954
• 21 Redman LM, Weatherby RP. Measuring performance during the menstrual cycle: A model using oral contraceptives. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36: 130-136
• 22 Zupan MF, Arata AW, Dawson LH. et al. Wingate Anaerobic Test peak power and anaerobic capacity classifications for men and women intercollegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 2598-2604
• 23 Yamagishi T, Babraj J. Influence of recovery intensity on oxygen demand and repeated sprint performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2016; 56: 1103-1112