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[Development of joint mobility by rhythmic neuromuscular stimulation]
J Künnemeyer1, D Schmidtbleicher
1Institut für Sportwissenschaften, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt.
Summary
Rhythmical neuromuscular stimulation (RNS) did not show a clear advantage over static stretching for improving flexibility. However, RNS-induced flexibility gains were independent of strength training.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Physiology
Background:
- Nasarov suggested rhythmical neuromuscular stimulation (RNS) significantly enhances flexibility.
- Flexibility improvements are crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of RNS compared to static stretching for improving chest muscle flexibility.
- To determine if strength training influences flexibility gains from RNS or static stretching.
Main Methods:
- A three-week study involving 112 healthy fitness sportsmen and women.
- Comparison of flexibility improvements between RNS and static stretching interventions.
- Analysis of the impact of simultaneous strength training on flexibility outcomes.
Main Results:
- No significant advantage of RNS over static stretching was observed for overall flexibility improvement.
- Static stretching effectiveness for flexibility was enhanced by concurrent strength training.
- RNS-induced flexibility improvements were comparable to static stretching with strength training and independent of it.
Conclusions:
- RNS offers a viable alternative for flexibility enhancement, particularly when strength training is not concurrently performed.
- Strength training may potentiate flexibility gains from static stretching through mechanisms like increased biosynthesis.
- RNS's effectiveness appears independent of strength training, suggesting a different physiological mechanism, possibly related to eccentric load.