Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (33): 8687-8694.doi: 10.12307/2026.914

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Regulatory effect of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field on body fat composition in female athletes during high-intensity upper limb resistance training

Sun Shiqiang1, Li Wenhao1, Du Xinran1, Bai Shi2, 3, Li Zhongshan1, 4   

  1. ¹Department of Physical Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning Province, China; ²School of Information Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 111003, Liaoning Province, China; ³Liaoning Provincial Professional Technology Innovation Center for Magnetic Medical Detection and Treatment, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning Province, China; 4School of Physical Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, Fujian Province, China
  • Received:2025-11-07 Revised:2026-03-13 Online:2026-11-28 Published:2026-06-13
  • Contact: Li Zhongshan, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Physical Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning Province, China; School of Physical Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, Fujian Province, China
  • About author:Sun Shiqiang, MS candidate, Department of Physical Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Plan Joint Program (Technical Breakthrough Project), No. 2024JH2/102600124 (to LZS); Liaoning Provincial International Cooperation Project, No. 2023JH2/10700004 (to BS); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 62471320 (to BS); Xingliao Talent Program Project, No. XLYC2203046 (to BS)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, low-frequency pulsed magnetic field regulation technology has garnered widespread attention for its ability to regulate cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in improving skeletal muscle strength, structural morphology, and overall body fat composition. However, there is a lack of research on its regulatory effect on body fat composition during high-intensity upper limb resistance training in female athlete, and its potential mechanisms and practical outcomes are still unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field on improving body fat composition during a high-intensity upper limb resistance training cycle in women, and to infer its potential molecular mechanisms.
METHODS: Thirteen female athletes (aged 18–23 years) undergoing long-term systematical training were recruited and randomly divided into an experimental group (n=6) and a control group (n=7). Both groups underwent 4 weeks of high-intensity upper limb resistance training (3 times per week, 75%–90% one-repetition maximum). The experimental group received 10 minutes of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field intervention (intensity 1.5 mT, frequency 3300 Hz) after each training session, while the control group received sham intervention (device with no output). Pre- and post-intervention measurements included maximum voluntary contraction of the biceps brachii, body composition (fat-free mass, subcutaneous fat mass, and total fat mass), and exercise performance (bench press and pull-ups) to observe and analyze the regulatory effect of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field on body fat composition.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Intra-group comparisons revealed: (1) In the control group, only the left-arm biceps brachii maximum voluntary contraction showed a significant decrease, whereas in the experimental group, significant decreases were observed in the maximum voluntary contraction of the biceps brachii in both arms. (2) No significant changes were observed in fat-free mass, total fat mass, or subcutaneous fat mass in either the control group or the experimental group. (3) Bench press performance was significantly improved in both the experimental group (P=0.017) and the control group (P=0.041), while no significant changes were observed in pull-up performance in both groups. Inter-group comparisons revealed: (1) No significant differences were found between the two groups in maximum voluntary contraction of the biceps brachii, fat-free mass, or exercise performance. (2) After intervention, total fat mass (P=0.041) and subcutaneous fat mass (P=0.038) were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group. These data confirmed that after 4 weeks (12 sessions) of high-intensity upper limb resistance training combined with low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field intervention, both groups showed consistent trends in maximal strength and exercise performance, while the experimental group receiving the low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field intervention exhibited significantly superior body fat composition (total fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass) compared with the control group. Therefore, as a non-metabolic physical adjunct modality, low-frequency pulsed magnetic field may promote body fat optimization during high-intensity resistance training in female athletes without affecting strength adaptation, and possesses potential advantages in mitigating concurrent training interference effects. Overall, this study preliminarily validates the feasibility of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field in improving body fat composition during high-intensity upper limb resistance training in women, providing a scientific basis for promoting safe, low-burden body composition regulation methods among female training populations in the future.

Key words: low-frequency pulsed magnetic field, high-intensity resistance training, female athletes, body composition, lipid metabolism, transient receptor potential canonical 1, maximum voluntary contraction

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