Effects of Adding WB-EMS to the Warm-Up on Football Players Power Performance Tests: a Crossover Study

Background: Football is an intermittent effort sport that demands high intensity power performance. To enhance this performance before training and competition, a short and intense warm-up is convenient. However, there is a gap between the performance reached in the warm-up and the performance needed during competition. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze if adding WB-EMS to the warm-up increases or not football players performance. Methods: Twelve semiprofessional football players randomly performed 2 FIFA11+ protocol warm-up sessions, one wearing a WB-EMS suit and one without it. Player´s body temperature, blood lactate, and jumping and sprint abilities were measured. Results: Thermography showed that skin temperature (Tsk) significantly decreased after both protocols, and only left popliteal Tsk was significantly lower after WB-EMS warm-up protocol compared to NO WB-EMS warm-up (p < 0.05). Lactate was greater after No WB-EMS but not after WB-EMS warm-up. Sprint performance in 20 meters was significantly faster after WB-EMS compared to NO WB-EMS. No significant differences were found between trials in the rest of sprint and jumping abilities tests. Conclusions: Adding WB-EMS to the warm-up does not seem to increase body temperature, only left popliteal Tsk, and to improve acute sprint performance in semi-professional football players.