Athletes are always looking for method to boost performance which are not banned as performance enhancement drugs. After all who else wouldn't want an edge over the competition?
But with doping in the limelight what's next for boosting performance?
Did you know that pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is becoming one of the most widely used secrets among athletes who use it for a wide
variety of conditions and even just for boosting endurance during strenuous exercise? Athletes are especially prone to bone trauma because they go through rigorous training regularly.
A study published on PubMed.gov found that PEMF treatments could accelerate healing of bone trauma[1] in live rats. Another study found that the treatment improved tendon-to-bone healing in injured animal subjects[2]. Studies suggest that PEMF treatments help improve the bones’ microstructure[3]. Although these clinical tests do not involve human subjects, the results are quite promising.
And the anecdotal reports are stacking high while some athletes keep it rather secret so they can have an edge on their competitors. It’s one of the few endurance methods that seems to be off the radar enough that it’s not banned.
The fact is, the human body is in tune with the natural magnetic field of the earth. We don't see or feel the magnetic fields but they affect the minute details of our lives, along with all the creatures of the earth. Suffice it to say, all aspects of a human body's biological response are based on the planet's electromagnetic field.
The Connection Between Electromagnetic Pulse and the Human Body
To understand the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on your body, you need to know how the body works at a cellular level.
Each healthy cell in your body is electronically charged. Within the cells, there is a continuous flow of electromagnetic energy. This energy is a natural part of cellular metabolism. Of course, the body does have diseased or damaged cells too. These cells have an unstable electronic charge and a lower voltage potential, which affects overall health.
PEMF utilizes pulsating coils in various configurations to re-energize healthy and damaged cells alike. The process is simple enough, a device that produces health-enhancing electromagnetic fields is applied on the affected area to promote the enhancement of your natural healing mechanisms. Think of PEMF therapy as a cellular workout. It breathes life back into damaged cells and promotes cell repair to reinvigorate the body.
But keep in mind there are many different types of pulsed magnetic therapy systems. The most apparent difference between them is the intensity of
the pulsating field.
The way they all work is there’s a coil which is pulsed by a frequency generator, these rhythmic pulses build a magnetic field on the rise of the pulse then collapse the magnetic field on itself during the fall of the pulse.
Think of the pulsation like a push and pull on the flow of energy in your body. Every conductive pathway such as your blood vessels is influenced by these pulses causing minute flows of electric current to be “induced” into your tissue.
A typical PEMF session can be conducted in the privacy of your own home. One treatment, depending on the type of device, can be anywhere from a few minutes to an entire night while you’re sleeping.
PEMF Therapy: Building Healthy Bones
Your bone density will depend on how fit you are. This is the reason why athletes have a greater bone mineral density than non-active individuals. The therapeutic effects of PEMF sessions promote fracture repair[4] and bone tissue regeneration. The treatment could be beneficial for people who suffer from bone or joint-related conditions, including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis and more research is ongoing. What’s more, the healing benefits of PEMF have little to no side effects.
Although all the mechanisms of action for electromagnetic stimulation on cellular process are still unclear, preclinical studies show that PEMF treatments provide constant stimulation of the bone and fractured sites that contribute to faster bone or joint healing[5].
PEMF Therapy: Healing Soft Tissues
Athletes are prone to common aches and pains because again, they go through punishing fitness routines that are hard on the soft tissues. All that intense training leads to muscle, ligament, and tendon damage.
In a study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research, scientists found that pulsed electromagnetic field treatments trigger the expression of genes related to inflammation including the resolution of inflammation caused by damaged soft tissues[6]. The therapy was also highly recommended for easing surgery pains and edema[7].
PEMF therapy makes a fantastic after-treatment for athletes because it promotes cell repair, inevitably healing soft tissues. The treatment enhances athletic performance by reversing the damage caused by intense training. Apart from repairing damaged soft tissues, PEMF treatments help reduce
swelling, accelerate nerve regeneration while building a stronger immune response.
PEMF Therapy: Enhancing Oxygen Absorption
It’s no secret that proper oxygen absorption affects a person’s athletic performance. The fact is, oxygen absorption is critical to cell health. Your cells need a constant supply of oxygen to stay healthy.
Professional athletes take great pains in developing their bodies to establish efficient cellular respiration. This process turns oxygen into energy. Poor oxygen absorption weakens the cells. When the body runs out of oxygen, the muscles run out of energy. When this happens, fatigue sets in.
Simply put, oxygen absorption can make or break your physical performance, regardless if you are an athlete or not. PEMF therapy promotes oxygenation of the tissues while protecting the cells from free radicals damage[8].
PEMF therapy eases pain by changing the tissue environment from which the pain starts. There are compelling evidence suggesting the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in terms of reducing acute ankle pains, chronic wound pain, and whiplash injuries. The treatment also boosts circulation so oxygen is distributed to major organs efficiently. The constant supply of oxygenated blood promotes a healthy heart, boost cardiac function and speeds up muscle recovery. All these are beneficial to professional athletes and everyday people alike.
PEMF Therapy: Pain Management
Athletes are no stranger to pain. Subjecting the body to extreme workouts cause sore muscles and painful joints - particularly in the arms and legs. When you are in pain, you are not able to perform at your best. This can be problematic if you are into competitive or endurance sports. The body has to be in tiptop shape for optimal performance.
Unlike healthy cells in which negative and positive ions – along with fluid, oxygen, and nutrients – are balanced, injured cells are unstable and have a low millivolt potential. Because the ability of unhealthy cells to function is affected by stress, cellular degeneration sets in. This can lead to cell death (called apoptosis), which affects overall health and athletic performance.
After all your body needs new cells to replace all the dead and dying cells. Luckily there may be hope for PEMF therapy to help optimize your ability to regenerate cells if you also have the right building block nutrients in your system.
PEMF therapy eases pain particularly back pain[9], postoperative pain, and chronic knee pain. Studies suggest that regular PEMF treatment relieves pain, soothes inflammation while promoting faster recovery[10]. The treatment works on a cellular level to reinvigorate the body and soothe inflammation. By suppressing inflammation, the body can heal itself without discomfort.
PEMF Therapy: Recovery Time
Proper rest after working out is just as important as staying fit. This goes especially if you want to gain muscle mass or if you’re trying to build stamina. The human body needs to adapt to the stress caused by working out. This is the reason why professional athletes are given enough recovery time after a grueling workout. A person, no matter how fit, cannot go on days without resting because the constant stress[11] could destroy the soft tissues. In addition, proper rest reduces the likelihood of injuries.
During the recovery period, the body is replenishing itself of the energy lost during training. Fluid loss and trauma could cause muscle tissues to break down. And don’t think a day or two of rest is enough for the body to recover from continuous training. It will take the body weeks of non-activity before progress or performance dips!
PEMF therapy reverses the effects of everyday stress while enhancing mental and physical performance. The treatment promotes strong bones[12] and reduce recovery time so you’ll bounce back stronger than ever.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15936919
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27282093
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24244491
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2762251/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4346366/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22301609
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24564041
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26756278
[11] https://www.verywell.com/the-benefits-of-rest-and-recovery-after-exercise-3120575
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25880388
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