Biochemical monitoring of electrical muscle stimulation in healthy men: focus on endostatin, VEGF, and lactate

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) inhibits and reverses muscle degeneration in conditions of inactivity or aging. Using this method usually costs less, and it is also possible to benefit more in a training session by doing exercise and using EMS at the same time. Electrical stimulation can increase angiogenesis and may offer a promising strategy to modulate angiogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles on angiogenesis factor, total antioxidant capacity, lactate, and some biochemical variables in healthy inactive men.

The statistical population of this research comprised inactive (non-exercising) healthy men aged 20–30 (two groups of 8). To perform EMS, each participant first receives complete training on how to work with special clothing and then performs a 20-min exercise session in a training session. As mentioned, the main workout was 20 min. Dynamic stretching exercises were performed before and after the main exercise. The main exercises were designed with squats, lunges, crunches, and planks. Squat, lunge, and crunch were performed 20 times each, and plank exercise was performed for 1 min with intensity in each group. During the exercise, the electrical current for the WB-EMS suit was turned on. The evaluation of the participants before and after the exercise is done by a doctor and a physiotherapist. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin values ​​were measured using the ELISA kit. Also other biochemical variables were measured with special kit and methods.

Based on the results, lactate, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and VEGF indicators showed a significant increase compared to the pre-test and compared to their healthy control group (p < 0.05).

Acute EMS seems to produce a favorable metabolic response. However, its chronic effect needs more detailed and extensive monitoring.