Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2020, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (23): 3764-3772.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2686

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Meta-analysis of muscle strength of exercisers undergoing electrical muscle stimulation training

Hou Xiao1, Lü Yifan2, Liu Jingmin3   

  1. 1Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; 2Chinese People’s Public Security University, Beijing 100038, China; 3Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Received:2019-09-03 Revised:2019-09-05 Accepted:2019-10-15 Online:2020-08-18 Published:2020-07-30
  • Contact: Liu Jingmin, PhD, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • About author:Hou Xiao, PhD candidate, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Electrical muscle stimulation can certainly improve muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass growth, but there are also different research results.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of electrical muscle stimulation as a strength training method on the muscle strength of exercisers through meta-analysis, providing advanced method and evidence-based basis for future strength training in sports field.

METHODS: Databases such as PubMed, EBSCO host, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP were searched for randomized controlled trials regarding electrical muscle stimulation for improving the muscle strength of exercisers. The literatures were screened by PICOS principles. The subjects were athletes and healthy controls with exercise experience, and they were divided into electrical stimulation group and control group (without any intervention). According to Cochrane criteria we conduct meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias evaluation through Stata 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, electrical muscle stimulation significantly increased concentric contraction peak torque in exercise population (combined effect: weighted mean difference=8.23, 95% confidence interval: 6.71-9.76, P < 0.000 1), and the effect was most obvious at the age of 20-22 years. Compared with the control group, electrical muscle stimulation significantly increased eccentric contraction peak torque in exercise population (combined effect: weighted mean difference=5.58, 95% confidence interval: 4.16-7.00, P < 0.000 01). The number of included experiments about isometric contraction peak torque was small and it was not suitable for meta-analysis. To conclude, electrical muscle stimulation training can effectively promote the concentric contraction peak torque and eccentric contraction peak torque of the exercise population, and the effect of electrical muscle stimulation as a training method on the muscle strength of exercisers needs to be explored in terms of indicators, ages and subjects.

Key words: electrical stimulation, strength training, exercise population, muscle strength, meta-analysis

CLC Number: