Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Golf Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Golf is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. However, the biomechanical and motor challenge of golf should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, only very few amateur golfers carry out serious preparation and conditioning as part of a strength/stabilization program. The main argument for this limitation is the aspect of limited time resources. A solution to this problem could therefore be the time-effective and highly individualizable whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) technology. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 16 weeks of WB-EMSapplication on maximum strength of the lower extremities, trunk stability and (golf) handicap in male amateur golfers in a (randomized) controlled setting.

Official Title
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Effects of 16 Weeks of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Stability, Strength and Golf Performance in Amateur Golfers - A Randomized Controlled Study

Conditions
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Golf Specific Performance, Muscle Strength, Trunk Stability

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: WB-EMS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: golf amateurs with a history if golf > 2 years no WB-EMS application during the last 12 months Exclusion Criteria: contraindications for WB-EMS (in doubt assessment by study physician) contraindications for MRI (in doubt assessment by study physician) resistance exercise training for more one 60 min/week during the last 12 months expected absence of more than one week during the intervention period (WB-EMS)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Whole-Body Electromyostimulation<br>16 weeks of dynamic WB-EMS: one supervised session per week, 20 min session; impulse-frequency: 85 Hz; impulse breadth 350 µs; intermittent 4-6 s; of impulse - 4 s of impulse break; impulse intensity RPE 7 (hard+ to very hard) on Borg CR 10 Scale. | Device: WB-EMS<br>* 16 weeks of WB-EMS<br>* Other names: Whole Body Electromyostimulation;|
| No Intervention: Non exercising control<br>...maintained physical activity and exercise habits during the study period. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 18 hole golf score | Average golf score of 5 rounds on a 18 hole course (supervised) | through study completion, on average 4 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hip-/leg extensor strength | Changes of maximum dynamic hip-/leg extensor strength as determine by an isokinetic leg press | At baseline and after 16 weeks | 
| Trunk strength | Changes of maximum isometric trunk strength (index of trunk extension/-flexion; lateral flexion and trunk rotation) as determined by an isometric testing device | At baseline and after 16 weeks | 
| Muscle density at the mid-thigh | Muscle density at the mid-thigh as determined by MRI | At baseline and after 16 weeks | 
| Muscle density at lumbar spine | Muscle density at the para-vertebral site as determined by MRI | At baseline and after 16 weeks |