Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves reaction time and execution time of roundhouse kick in highly skilled martial arts athletes

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on a roundhouse kick (RHK) and the rate of force development (RFD) and peak force during maximal isometric contractions with the knee extensors. Sixteen martial arts athletes were randomly assigned to either a training group (NMES + martial arts) or a control group (martial arts). The RHK was performed to a fixed target located approximately 1.5 m away from the athlete. The reaction time and execution time were quantified with a light-sensor system. Participants were tested before and after completing 15 sessions of training (5 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 90 min/session). In addition, the training group performed another 15 sessions (3 sessions/week, 30 min/session) in which electrical stimulation was superimposed on maximal isometric contractions of the quadriceps (100 Hz, 450 μs). There were no statistically significant changes in either RFD or maximal isometric force for either group (p > 0.05). However, the training group experienced significant reductions (p < 0.05) in both reaction time (−9.2%) and the execution time (−5.9%). The findings indicate that supplemental NMES training can improve sport-specific movements, such as the RHK, without any changes in maximal force capabilities in skilled martial arts athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• Electrical stimulation
• rate of force development
• leg kick
• speed and agility test

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants of the study for volunteering their time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.