Welcome back to another edition of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest—your go-to source for fascinating discoveries that spark curiosity and encourage self-learning.
Today, we're diving into a groundbreaking study on the benefits of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) for recovery after intense swimming sessions.
(Scroll to the end of each post to find a link to the original study, often with full PDFs—perfect for building your research collection.)
Let’s explore how EMS can make a difference for athletes and everyday users alike.
What is this research about?
The study, titled “Comparison of Swim Recovery and Muscle Stimulation on Lactate Removal After Sprint Swimming,” was conducted by researchers Francis B. Neric, William C. Beam, Lee E. Brown, and Lenny D. Wiersma from the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton in the United States.
Published in 2009, this research investigates how EMS compares to active and passive recovery methods in removing lactate—a byproduct of intense exercise that causes muscle fatigue.
Who participated in this study?
The researchers studied 30 competitive swimmers (19 men and 11 women), aged approximately 18 years, from high school and college teams.
These participants were seasoned athletes who trained year-round and had impressive swim times for the 200-yard front crawl.
What recovery methods were tested?
After a 200-yard maximal front crawl sprint, swimmers underwent one of three 20-minute recovery treatments:
- Passive recovery: Sitting still in a chair.
- Active recovery: Swimming at a submaximal pace (about 65% of sprint speed).
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS): Using low-frequency stimulation to induce mild muscle contractions.
What did the researchers find?
The study revealed that active swimming recovery was the most effective method for reducing lactate levels, but EMS also significantly outperformed passive recovery. Here’s what the data showed:
- After 20 minutes:
- Active swimming recovery reduced lactate to 1.6 mmol/L, the lowest level.
- EMS reduced lactate to 3.1 mmol/L, which was significantly better than passive recovery at 4.1 mmol/L.
Why does this matter for EMS users?
The findings highlight that EMS can effectively reduce muscle fatigue when active recovery isn’t feasible. This is especially useful for:
- Athletes who don’t have access to swimming facilities during competitions.
- Individuals who are too tired or physically unable to engage in active recovery.
EMS promotes blood flow and muscle contractions, aiding the removal of lactate and potentially speeding up recovery.
Why should you care about this study?
Imagine recovering faster after intense exercise without needing to move! EMS devices, like those from Oriems Fit, might offer a practical solution for athletes and anyone experiencing muscle fatigue.
What’s next?
How do you recover after exercise? Would you try EMS, or do you already use it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! We love hearing about your experiences and questions. If there’s a specific topic you’d like us to research, let us know!
Research Summary
- Original Title: "Comparison of Swim Recovery and Muscle Stimulation on Lactate Removal After Sprint Swimming"
- Authors: Francis B. Neric, William C. Beam, Lee E. Brown, and Lenny D. Wiersma
- Institution: California State University, Fullerton, USA
- Published: 2009
- Link to Study: Click Here
About ORIEMS FIT Research Digest
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