Training and Injuries
I previously wrote about the importance of muscle fiber ratio for sports performance. Now I'll explain how you can simply assess which fibers you have. Although these methods do not give an exact percentage result but rather an estimated value, this is sufficient for planning your training. The precise determination of muscle fiber ratio can only be done by analyzing a piece of muscle tissue taken from the muscle (e.g., surgically excised) — which is why this type of examination is performed only very rarely and, of course, most athletes do not need it. At most, it can be important for top athletes aiming to maximize performance.
If you exercise, you know how much tiring work it takes to build muscle and to increase strength and endurance. You also know how quickly a few weeks without training can worsen these. Two to three weeks off and half a year of work can be lost. Gyms, pools and sports halls close. For now you can still run or cycle outdoors, but based on the news from Italy you may only be able to do that for a few more weeks. After that you will be confined between four walls and can only train at home. In such a situation it is worth considering acquiring a sports muscle stimulation device. It will be useful for maintaining muscle condition.
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common injuries among athletes. For them, proper rehabilitation is particularly important so they can return to competition as soon as possible (without an increased risk of re-injury). For non-athletes, rehabilitation is important to preserve muscle strength and to rebuild muscles so the knee can be fully functional as quickly as possible.
The EMS, or electrical muscle stimulation method has been used for decades in athlete preparation… well… NOT in our country. Why is that? In my firm opinion the reason is simple: lack of language skills. Because most Hungarians do not know any foreign language, they do not read international literature, cannot keep up with world trends, and remain stuck in the familiar. The majority still firmly believe that training equals: “train a lot and eat lots of grilled chicken with rice.” They have no clue about most of the modern, drug-free possibilities offered by technology — as evidenced by the reactions to my articles. Knowledge is, to put it mildly, patchy about what a muscle stimulator is for, how it works, and how to use it. Let’s look at the basic info…
Do you know which sport you were born for? Of course this only matters if you compete and strive for the very best results. If you are not aware of your innate attributes and how they can be adjusted, you cannot rise above mediocrity. Your physical abilities are determined by many factors: your circulation, your breathing, the blood supply to your muscles, the development of your capillaries, the mitochondrial content of your muscles, the quality of your rest, your physical and mental state, your innate muscle-fiber ratio, and so on.
Muscle stimulation is a method to be used as a complement to training, not instead of it. Its “benefit” differs for professional athletes who live from sport and for amateurs who train alongside studying or working. The possible uses are diverse, so everyone can decide how to “deploy” it! One thing is certain: if you use it regularly, you will notice its beneficial effects just as you notice the effects of regular training. Let’s go through what an athlete can use a muscle stimulator for.
Are you an athlete? Do you feel it's time to take up muscle stimulation to improve your performance like your competitors? It's worth looking around the market! There are few manufacturers whose devices are truly usable. In Europe Compex and Globus are the two best-known manufacturers, but recently the Italian iTech and the German MTR+ also want to break into the "serious" sports muscle stimulator market. It's just as hard to find your way among the devices as it is among cameras, for example. I've known the devices for about 10 years and have tried every model. Read my summary opinion!
I look for the answer to whether muscle stimulation can change genetic traits, your congenital muscle fiber ratio, and how much performance change you can achieve with its help. The points described here are only meaningful if you understand the basics of muscle stimulation. If you don’t yet, read my series on the basics of muscle stimulation. I will briefly summarize the essentials here. With well-regulated electrical impulses your muscles can be made to contract […]
Muscle stimulation uses electrical impulses applied to muscles to cause them to contract. Although there are serious physiological foundations behind muscle excitation, the essence is relatively simple to understand. The goal is to get the muscle to work not only when the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) sends the command, but also to be able to activate it artificially.
You know that physical activity is important for your health and you exercise with some regularity. Yet instead of feeling fit and healthy, you constantly have pain somewhere. Your heel, knee, calf, hip. Do you feel like you step on a hedgehog when you take your first steps out of bed? You haven't been injured or strained and you can't understand what's wrong… If any of this sounds familiar, read my article! It's about the importance of warm-up.
We met Misi Bodócs in our childhood. He was a member of the team from the neighboring town and we often competed against each other at pioneer Olympics. Life then took us in different directions and 35 years later we bumped into each other by chance. We ran into each other while cycling in the Buda hills (for lack of a better phrase). At Normafa we even stopped for a refreshment and a slice of homemade strudel at the little kiosk. After the usual “how are you” and “what are you doing” questions, however, our conversation took an unexpected turn…
Preparing for a running race or a longer triathlon distance? Then endurance development is your top priority. You need to devote many hours to your preparation. If, however, you have little time to train… well, it's worth getting a little help. Of course, this only applies if you have spare time, for example when you do office work.
