| Extension of stress up to perceived exhaustion | 

The influence of extremely weak, BEMER 3000-typical pulsed electromagnetic fields on the determination of perceived exhaustion to the point of the ventilatory limit value

Krzysztof Spodaryk, Prof.Dr. - Vice Rector Academy of Physical Education for Science Affairs, Wolf A. Kafka, Prof. Dr. rer. nat.

The status of exhaustion results form discrete physiological perceptions and their central processing. It is expressed in a series of complex sensations like tiredness, pain or aversion to further stressing. It can be influenced by verbal (firing up), chemical (doping) or physical (BEMER 3000 therapy) effects.

A selective investigation of the underlying processes would result in an improvement of possibilities of rehabilitation but also to more efficient training methods for high-performance athletes. In consideration of previous good experiences with the use of weak, low-frequency BEMER-typical pulsed electromagnetic fields in pain treatment, wound healing, delayed onset of muscle aches and reduced damage to muscle cells by maximum stressing, the influence of such a field on the status and the timing of perceived exhaustion was the question posed in the study.

In this study, characteristic signs of perceived exhaustion such as general pain, pain in the legs and chest pain (shortness of breath) at the point of the ventilatory capacity limit and at the point of maximum oxygen consumption was investigated.

In a single-blinded, three-arm design (placebo group, test group 18 µT intensity, test group 35 µT intensity) 30 healthy test subjects were initially familiarized with the study methodology. Then, the determination of the starting values at the point in time of the ventilatory capacity limit and maximum oxygen consumption was done. After 21 treatments (once daily BEMER therapy for 12 minutes on the mat) in 30 days (test groups) a new study was done in which the perceived exhaustion determined at the point in time of the limit value determined in the preliminary study, in the form of pain intensity (relative to general pain, pain in the legs and chest pain) had to be indicated on a 10-part Borg pain scale (VAS).

The two treated groups did not exhibit any differences. Both groups, however, showed significant differences with respect to the placebo group at the point in time of the ventilatory capacity limit with respect to all pain perceptions in favor of the treated subjects but no significant differences at the point of maximum oxygen consumption.

All subjects named leg pain as limiting performance. In summary, the authors found: The effect of the Bemer 3000 treatment allows one to conclude an influence on the chemical-mechanical (motor) muscle activity. The Bemer 3000 treatment can be applied both in rehabilitation and in high-performance athletes for improving muscle performance.