Effect of EMS and Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Fatigue and Physical Performance in Motocross Athletes

Effect of Electromyostimulation and Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Fatigue and Physical Performance in Motocross Athletes

Motocross, a popular sport, involves riding motorized vehicles on rugged tracks with obstacles. It's physically demanding, with high speeds and a risk of accidents. Grip strength is crucial, especially in the arms and forearms, which are prone to injury. Physiotherapy often employs strength exercises, including electromyostimulation. However, there's little research on their effectiveness for motocross athletes. This study aims to compare electromyostimulation combined with strength training versus strength training alone in relieving pain, fatigue, and improving strength in motocross athletes.

Motocross is a popular sport in which participants ride a two-wheeled, motorized vehicle around a 2 km rugged track with natural or man-made obstacles. Participants race at high speeds and it is considered a strenuous sport with a high accident rate. Motocross racers grip the handlebars of their bikes with both hands throughout the race, which lasts between 18 and 26 minutes. Therefore, it is a sports branch where control is concentrated on the arms and upper extremities. It has been reported that the most frequently injured and painful area is the forearm. Therefore, good and strong upper extremity and forearm control is important for the prevention of injuries or subsequent recovery processes.

It is known that strengthening exercise programs are used in physiotherapy practices to improve strength and stabilization parameters. The use of electromyostimulation applications for strengthening in different populations is also becoming widespread.

There are no studies demonstrating the effectiveness of strengthening and electromyostimulation applications on pain, fatigue and strength parameters in motocross athletes.

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of electromyostimulation application applied simultaneously with a strengthening exercise program on pain, fatigue and strength, with strengthening exercises performed with sham application (electric current turned off).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having at least 5 years of professional motocross training experience
• Being between 18 and 30 years old
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• To be absent from the 6-week EMS and strengthening program for more than 2 consecutive sessions
• Having suffered any injury that prevents you from training in the last 6 months
• Being receiving a physiotherapy program other than the protocol to be used in the study