EFFECTS OF ELECTROMYOSTIMULATION TRAINING ON MUSCLE STRENGTH AND POWER OF ELITE RUGBY PLAYERS

The present study investigated the influence of a 12-week electromyostimulation (EMS) training program performed by elite rugby players. Twenty-five 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. Iso-kinetic torque of the knee extensors was determined at different eccentric and concentric angular velocities ranging from = 120 to 360°·s. 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°·s maximal eccentric, 120 and 240°·s 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.