Effect of rhythmic peripheral magnetic stimulation on the functional capabilities of the musculoskeletal system of male athletes

Introduction. Previous research has demonstrated the high efficacy of peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) in the postoperative period of athletes for increasing strength and muscle tissue hypertrophy. Scientific and experimental substantiation for the use of PMS within the medical and biological support system for elite sports to improve the functional capabilities of the musculoskeletal system (MSS) in healthy athletes represents a relevant research task.

Objective. Study of the effect of rhythmic PMS on the functional capabilities of MSS in male athletes.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Yug-Sport Rehabilitation and Recovery Center for Athletes in Kislovodsk (Russia). In total, 38 highly qualified male athletes were involved, who were divided into three groups: experimental group 1 (EG1) — 15 individuals, experimental group 2 (EG2) — 8 individuals, and the control group (CG) — 15 individuals. PMS was administered using a BTL-6000 Super Inductive System high-intensity magnetotherapy device, following two protocols for modulation and stimulation frequency. In the athletes, the following parameters were assessed: electrophysiological studies (electroneuromyography), rheovasography, and dynamometry of the lower limbs. These assessments were conducted before the intervention, after the first session, and after a course of eight PMS treatment sessions. In the control group, PMS was not applied. All parameters in this group were measured before and after the training camp period.

Results. The application of PMS to the posterior aspect of the left and right thigh at an intensity above the motor threshold (25–80%) and a frequency modulation of 1–150 Hz (EG1) contributed to a decrease in latency parameters and an increase in motor conduction velocity, as well as the M-response amplitude and area upon stimulation of the peroneal nerve. The application of PMS to the same area and at the same intensity, but with a frequency modulation of 1–50 Hz (EG2), increased the M-response amplitude and area. An increase in peripheral hemodynamics in the vessels of the lower limbs and in the strength parameters of the hip flexor and extensor muscles was revealed, along with an improvement in intermuscular coordination.

Conclusions. The application of PMS in highly qualified athletes contributes to an increase in the functional capabilities of MSS, manifested in improved parameters of neuromuscular transmission, peripheral hemodynamics, and strength capabilities.

1. Pomytkin AN, Lebedeva IS, Tikhonov DV, Kaleda VG. Rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of resistant depression in schizophrenia. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2021;121(5–2):99–105 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202112105299

2. Novikova ES, Rozanov ID. Low–dose radiotherapy for chronic pain syndrome in specific and non-specific diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Medical Alphabet.2019;1(2):58 (In Russ.). EDN: VWLIRK

3. Pushkar DY, Kulikov AG, Kasyan GR, Kupriyanov YA, Romikh VV, Zakharchenko AV, et al. Extracorporeal magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor neuromuscular system in urological practice. Russian Journal of Physiotherapy, Balneology and Rehabilitation. 2019;18(4):264–76 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17816/1681-3456-2019-18-4-264-276

4. Pospelova ML, Kasumova AA, Fionik OV, Alekseeva TM, Samochernykh KA, Krasnikova VV. Possibilities of using the transcranial magnetic stimulation method in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Modern Problems of Science and Education. 2021;2:195 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17513/spno.30631

5. Kutashov VA, Ul’yanova OV. Application of transcranal magnetic stimulationwith in complex treatment of patients with ischemic stroke in the late recovery period from medical rehabilitation positions. Herald of Physiotherapy and Health Resort Therapy. 2018;24(3):73–80 (In Russ.).

6. Abulhasan JF, Rumble YL, Morgan ER, Slatter WH, Grey MJ. Peripheral electrical and magnetic stimulation to augment resistance training. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology.2016;1(3):328–42. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk1030328

7. Gorodnichev RM, Belyaev AG, Pivovarova EA, Shlyakhtov VN. The effect of electromagnetic stimulation on muscle strength indices. Human Physiology. 2014;40(1):76 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.7868/s013116461304005x

8. Jia Y, Liu X, Wei J, Li D, Wang C, Wang X, et al. Modulation of the corticomotor excitability by repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on the median nerve in healthy subjects. Frontiers in Neural Circuits. 2021;15:616084. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2021.616084

9. Popov GI, Malkhasyan EA, Markaryan VS, Kalinin EM, Seluyanov VN. Influence of rhythmical magnetic stimulation as a way of increase in aerobic possibilities of muscles. Lomonosov Journal of Anthropoly. 2013;2:106–13 (In Russ.). EDN: QZDRGH

10. Merkulov YA, Gorelikov AE, Pyatkov AA, Merkulova DM. Repetitive transspinal magnetic stimulation in the treatment of chronic low back pain. A meta-analysis (Part II). Pathological Physio logy and Experimental Therapy. 2021;65(4):97–108 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25557/0031-2991.2021.04.97-108

11. Blokhina VN, Kuznetsov AN, Vinogradov OI, Voytenkov VB, Melikyan EG, Nikolayev SG. Comparative analysis of excitability of radicular and intramuscular axonal systems in healthy volunteers during peripheral magnetic stimulation. Neuromuscular Diseases. 2017;7(2):48–53 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17650/2222-8721-2017-7-2-48-53

12. Anoshina EA, Mikhaylenko AA, Samartsev IN, Zhivolupov SA. Analysis of the effectiveness of analgesics effects of physiotherapeutics and interventional treatment methods for a number of the most common pain syndromes in neurological practice. Russian Military Medical Academy Reports. 2019;S3:16–8 (In Russ.).

13. Zhivolupov SA, Samartsev IN, Kovalenko AP. Medical rehabilitation in diseases and injuries of the nervous system. Victims in Emergency Situations. New York: Xlibris LLC; 2014 (In Russ.).

14. Gorelikov AE, Melnikova EA, Rud IM. Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Patients with Nervous System and Spinal Disorders. Doctor.Ru. 2017;11(140):46–50 (In Russ.).

15. Gorodnichev RM, Belyaev AG, Pivovarova EA, Shlyakhtov VN. The effect of electromagnetic stimulation on the parameters of muscular strength. Human Physiology. 2014;40(1):76 (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.7868/S013116461304005X

16. Kamo T, Wada Y, Okamura M, Sakai K, Momosaki R, Taito S. Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for impairment and disability in people after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;9(9):CD011968. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011968.pub4

17. Fujimura K, Kagaya H, Endou C, Ishihara A, Nishigaya K, Muroguchi K, et al. Effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on shoulder subluxations caused by stroke: A preliminary study. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. 2020;23(6):847–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/ner.13064