Magnetic stimulation is a highly effective treatment method widely used in clinical practice for the therapy and rehabilitation of patients with pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous systems, musculoskeletal system (MSS), and urological diseases [1–3]. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have been published investigating the effects of transcranial and peripheral rhythmic magnetic field exposure on the functional state of organs and systems in athletes [4][5]. Research results have demonstrated the high efficacy of using peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) in the postoperative period to enhance strength and muscle tissue hypertrophy in athletes [6]. Data indicating increased muscle strength performance following a course of PMS have been published [7][8]. Furthermore, by regulating the frequency characteristics of the magnetic field, it is possible not only to increase strength parameters but also to potentiate the aerobic capacity of the muscular system in athletes [9].

Therefore, scientific and experimental substantiation for the application of PMS within the medical and biological support system of elite sports to enhance the functional capabilities of the MSS in healthy athletes appears a highly relevant research task. In this article, we aim to study the effect of rhythmic PMS on the functional capabilities of MSS in male athletes.

The study was conducted at the rehabilitation and recovery center for Russian national team athletes, located on the premises of the Yug-Sport center (Kislovodsk, Russia). The study involved 38 highly qualified male athletes engaged in athletics, baseball, cross-country skiing, short track speed skating, kettlebell lifting, and badminton, with a median age of 22 [ 19; 25] years. The athletes were divided into three groups: experimental group 1 (EG1) — 15 individuals, experimental group 2 (EG2) — 8 individuals, and the control group (CG) — 15 individuals:

The inclusion criteria for the study were highly qualified athletes undergoing intensive training loads. The exclusion criteria were refusal to participate in the study, acute illnesses and injuries, presence of contraindications to PMS (general contraindications to physiotherapy, arterial hypotension, clinically significant endocrinopathies (especially hyperthyroidism), bleeding tendency, hemorrhagic diathesis, presence of an implanted pacemaker).

PMS was performed using a BTL-6000 Super Inductive System high-intensity magnetotherapy device, specifically the BTL-6000 Super Inductive System Elite version (BTL Industries Ltd., the UK). The treatment session was conducted with the participant in a prone position, with the center of the applicator positioned at the minimal distance from the skin surface. The stimulation area targeted the posterior aspect of the left and right thigh (corresponding to the projection of the m. biceps femoris long head and m. semimembranosus). The stimulation intensity was set individually above the motor threshold (25–80%). The total number of sessions was 8, conducted daily.

Before and after the first session, as well as after the course of eight PMS sessions, the following parameters were recorded:

A movement template (bilateral: extension/flexion, sitting position) was used during the measurement.

Statistical data processing was performed using the Statistica 13.0 software. Standard descriptive statistics measures were calculated (medians (Me) with upper (Q1) and lower (Q3) quartiles). Comparison of parameters was carried out using non-parametric tests: Wilcoxon test for analyzing data dynamics in dependent groups, Dunn’s test for assessing differences between two independent groups, Kruskal–Wallis test for comparisons between three independent groups.

During the study, when comparing the parameters of the neuromuscular apparatus (NMA) based on ENMG data before PMS application in athletes of EG1, EG2, and CG using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests, statistically significant differences were found only for the duration and latency of the M response, which were higher in the athletes of the CG (p < 0.05).

The conducted analysis of the dynamics of motor response parameters during PMS in athletes of EG1 showed a statistically significant increase in:

A trend toward an increase in the M-wave area was noted at all stimulation points, both on the right and left sides.

The conducted analysis of the results of PMS application in athletes of EG2 showed a statistically significant increase in:

A similar increase in the parameters of M response amplitude and area were observed in athletes of EG2 on the left side at all stimulation points. In the CG, a decrease in motor conduction velocity was observed at the stimulation point “popliteal fossa” on the left side (before the training camp — 54 [ 51.2; 57.8] m/s, after — 48.1 [ 44.7; 52.8] m/s; p < 0.02).

The comparison of RVG parameters before PMS application in athletes of EG1, EG2, and CG revealed statistically significant differences only in the elasticity modulus (EM) parameters, which were higher in the CG (p < 0.04). The analysis of lower limb hemodynamic parameters in athletes of EG1 showed a statistically significant increase after the first session in the “left foot” segment for the following parameters:

In the “right foot” segment, the duration of maximum systolic vessel filling increased: pre-PMS 0.13 [ 0.115; 0.142] s; after the first session 0.142 [ 0.132; 0.154] s (p < 0.05); post-course 0.119 [ 0.107; 0.15] s.

In the “left shin” segment, after the first session, the propagation time of rheographic waves increased to 0.28 [ 0.26; 0.29] s (p < 0.05) against the background of pre-PMS values of 0.27 [ 0.26; 0.28] s and post-therapy course values of 0.27 [ 0.26; 0.29] s.

In the “right shin” segment, the diastolic index was higher both after the first session and after the entire course (pre-PMS — 0.43 [ 0.31; 0.46] conv. units; after the first session — 0.52 [ 0.44; 0.61] conv. units, p < 0.04; after the course — 0.5 [ 0.36; 0.59] conv. units, p < 0.04).

After the full PMS course, the blood flow asymmetry coefficient in the feet decreased threefold (pre-PMS — 34 [ 12; 56]; after the 1st session — 13 [ 7; 27]; after the course — 11 [ 4; 24], p < 0.03). In the CG athletes, the diastolic index decreased statistically significantly in the “left foot” segment (pre-training camp — 0.47 [ 0.39; 0.53] conv. units and post-training camp — 0.38 [ 0.32; 0.44] conv. units, p < 0.02) and the “right foot” segment (pre-training camp — 0.46 [ 0.41; 0.56] conv. units and post-training camp — 0.38 [ 0.36; 0.45] conv. units, p < 0.05).

The comparison of dynamometry parameters in athletes of EG1 and CG before the application of PMS revealed no statistically significant differences. The analysis of the dynamics of thigh muscle strength in men of EG1 showed a statistically significant increase in the strength parameters of the hip extensor and flexor muscles after completing the entire course. Specifically, for the extensor muscles, the following parameters increased:

In flexor muscles, a statistically significant increase in the following parameters was observed:

Additionally, after both the single session and the full PMS course, athletes in EG1 showed optimization of extensor and flexor muscle strength. This was reflected in a decrease in the ratio of this parameter (before PMS — 109.6 [ 101; 123.6]%; after the first session — 105.15 [ 94.6; 107.7]%; p < 0.05; after the course — 103.5 [ 99.3; 112.2]%; p < 0.04). The analysis of dynamometry parameters of the thigh muscles in the CG revealed no statistically significant differences.

The application of PMS in clinical practice is widely documented in the scientific literature, particularly in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, other MSS disorders, patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, acute and chronic back pain, post-stroke spasticity, paresis, plegia, dysphagia [10–14]. In sports practice, the use of rhythmic PMS is most frequently reported in studies focusing on methods to enhance athlete performance. For instance, applying rhythmic PMS in athletes during isokinetic exercises revealed an increase in muscle aerobic capacity, attributed to higher oxygen uptake at the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. Additionally, an improvement in muscle strength parameters was observed without an increase in muscle mass [9].

Our study has found that a course of eight PMS treatment sessions applied to the posterior surface of both left and right thighs — using intensities above the motor response threshold (25–80 %) and frequency modulation of 1–150 Hz — led to:

A PMS course applied to the same region at the same intensity, but with a frequency modulation of 1–50 Hz, resulted in increased amplitude and area of M responses. These changes indicated the attainment of potentially greater NMA capabilities in improvement of intramuscular coordination mechanisms, activation and synchronization of motor units. This, in turn, contributed to a greater expression of strength capabilities. Dynamometry assessments revealed that athletes exhibited a statistically significant increase in all measured strength parameters of both hip flexor and extensor muscles. Additionally, intermuscular coordination of their activity improved.

The results obtained complement previously published data demonstrating that 10 sessions of PMS applied to the m. gastrocnemius during its voluntary contraction in healthy men led to a greater increase in maximal torque (muscle force) and an enhancement of H reflex (Hoffmann’s reflex) amplitude [15]. The authors suggest that one mechanism underlying the improvement in strength parameters is an increase in reflex excitability of the corresponding spinal motor neuron pool. The recorded higher strength values result from additional activation of high threshold (fast) motor units [15–17].

Current research identifies enhanced microcirculation in muscle tissue as one of the key mechanisms underlying increased muscle strength. This improvement creates optimal conditions for altering the concentration of potassium, sodium, and calcium ions across semipermeable cell membranes, thereby facilitating depolarization processes and the generation of action potentials [16]. Our study has shown that PMS application enhanced blood flow in athletes. Overall, a review of scientific literature suggests that the applied PMS modulation and frequency parameters contribute to the activation of specific physiological processes, including enhanced metabolic reactions, modulation of neuroplasticity, improved cellular permeability. Collectively, these effects improve the functional state of MSS in athletes.

Our study of the effects of rhythmic PMS on the functional capabilities of MSS in male athletes demonstrated that its application with pre-set modulation and frequency parameters leads to statistically significant improvements in neuromuscular transmission parameters, peripheral hemodynamics, and strength capabilities. Therefore, this method can be recommended for inclusion in the biomedical support of athletes to enhance the functional state of MSS and increase strength capabilities.

Authors’ contributions. All authors confirm that their authorship complies with the ICMJE criteria. The main contribution is distributed as follows: Yulia V. Koryagina — supervision during planning and conducting the study, critical analysis of the draft manuscript, making comments and corrections, critical analysis of the work for scientific novelty; Julia V. Kushnareva — collection of experimental data on the PMS use in athletes and source tables preparation; Sergey V. Nopin — data interpretation, study design, final approval of the manuscript; Sabina M. Abutalimova — manuscript drafting; Igor N. Mitin — collection of experimental data on the PMS use in athletes.