Effect of PEMF on Muscle Oxygenation during Cycling: A Single-Blind Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are used as non-invasive tools to enhance microcirculation and tissue oxygenation, with a modulatory influence on the microvasculature. This study aimed to measure the acute effect of PEMF on muscle oxygenation and its influence on pulmonary oxygen kinetics during exercise. Eighteen male cyclists performed, on different days, a constant-load exercise in both active (ON) and inactive (OFF) PEMF stimulations while deoxyhemoglobin and pulmonary oxygen kinetics, total oxygenation index, and blood lactate were collected. PEMF enhanced muscle oxygenation, with higher values of deoxyhemoglobin both at the primary component and at the steady-state level. Moreover, PEMF accelerated deoxyhemoglobin on-transition kinetic, with a shorter time delay, time constant, and mean response time than the OFF condition. Lactate concentration was higher during stimulation. No differences were found for total oxygenation index and pulmonary oxygen kinetics. Local application of a precise PEMF stimulation can increase the rate of the muscle O2 extraction and utilization. These changes were not accompanied by faster oxygen kinetics, reduced oxygen slow component, or reduced blood lactate level. It seems that oxygen consumption is more influenced by exercise involving large muscle mass like cycling, whereas PEMF might only act at the local level.

Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) on Muscles Activation during Cycling in Sedentary People

“…Nine male sedentary young people participated at this study (Table 1). Based on the effect size evident in Trofè et al [15,26] G * power software, version 3.1.9.2 (Kiel, Germany), predicted that a total sample size of 8 would give sufficient power (0.80) to detect a significant difference at alpha level of 0.05. One additional participant was included to ensure the availability of data in case of missing or corrupted data.…”

“…Trofè et al [15] investigated the effect of PEMF stimulation in semi-professional cyclists. The authors found that stimulation applied during a heavy constant-load exercise was able to enhanced the rate of muscle oxygen extraction and utilization.…”

“…It has been hypothesized that PEMF affected energetic metabolism, especially glycolytic metabolism of type-II muscular fibers [16]. Indeed, PEMF stimulation increased the blood lactate level during exercise [15], suggesting a possible influence of stimulation on muscle activity and on the glycolytic metabolism of type-II muscular fibers. This effect could be caused by the change of membrane permeability [17] and Ca2+ channel conduction [18], enhancing ion flux and cellular concentrations [19,20] that improve contraction mechanisms during exercise.…”

Neuron Foundry Mach 8: A Concept of Multi-modal Neuro-supportive Energy Therapy Device for Treating Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Focused magnetic waves have been deployed to overstimulate neuronal mitochondria, which causes them to overheat and die off essentially. This is an experimental treatment for glioblastoma [90,91]. It seems that one could target areas including the motor neurons and stimulate them with a to-be-determined therapeutic level to support their survival, as Dr Tedone has done with nutraceuticals for individuals suffering from motor neuron diseases such as ALS [7].…”

Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) on Muscular Activation during Cycling: A Single-Blind Controlled Pilot Study

“…Given the importance of oxygen uptake in sport activity [ 23 ], especially in aerobic disciplines (e.g., cycling), we sought to investigate the PEMF’s effect during exercise to assess its influence on muscular activity. We know from our previous study that PEMF stimulation results in a higher O 2 muscle supply during exercise through increased O 2 release and uptake [ 24 ]. We thus hypothesize that PEMF stimulation could improve the muscular response due to a higher amplitude of muscular activity generated by the enhancement of muscular contraction mechanisms.…”