The effect of resistance training along with electrical muscle stimulation on serum levels of PGC-1α, IGF-1 and myostatin in athletes after ACL surgery

Limited studies have investigated the effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on muscle growth factors in athletes after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of resistance training and resistance training combined with EMS on serum levels of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and myostatin in male athletes after ACL surgery.

Twenty volunteers with 26.01±1.12 year’s old, 177.10±9.59 cm height and 71.16±6.65 kg weight were randomly divided into two groups including resistance training combined with EMS and resistance training. The subjects in both groups performed three sets of resistance training movements with an intensity of 30-70% of 10 maximum repetitions for 12 weeks. The subjects in the resistance training combined with EMS group performed exercise training with electrical stimulation with a frequency of  35-70 Hz. Blood samples were taken from all subjects before and 48 hours after the last training session. ELISA method was used to measure serum PGC-1α, IGF-1 and myostatin levels. The comparison between groups was done using analysis of covariance test at a significance level of p<0.05.

The results showed that 12 weeks of resistance training combined with EMS compare to resistance intervention caused a significant increase in serum IGF-1 concentration and a significant decrease in serum myostatin levels, without significant change in serum PGC-1α of the participants.

Overall, resistance training combined with EMS compared to traditional resistance training may lead to changes in serum levels of myostatin and IGF-1, which in turn increases the volume and strength of quadriceps and hamstring athletes after ACL surgery and can be used in ACL rehabilitation period.