The Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Blood Lactate after Anaerobic Muscle Fatigue Induced in Taekwondo Athletes

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation on blood lactate after anaerobic muscle fatigue was induced in Taekwondo athletes. [Subjects] Twenty-four male collegiate Taekwondo athletes voluntarily participated in this study (from June 7, 2010 to June 18, 2010, a total of 2 weeks). Subjects were randomly divided into three groups of 8: a) Electrical stimulation group (ES) which received electrical muscle stimulation; b) the massage group which received massage; and the control group which took a rest after induction of anaerobic muscle fatigue. [Methods] This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. It was conducted at the sports science research laboratory of Kyungwoon University, Gumi, Korea. Muscle fatigue was induced via anaerobic exercise. Blood samples were collected when the athletes were in a relaxed state, immediately after anaerobic exercise, 15 minutes after anaerobic exercise, and 25 minutes after anaerobic exercise. [Results] Repeated measures ANOVA showed statistically significant differences in lactic acid concentration in the blood with time in the three groups, as well as among the three groups. The lactic acid concentrations in the blood was highest immediately after exercise, decreased significantly 15 min after exercise, and further decreased 25 min after exercise. Scheffe's post-hoc test revealed statistically significant differences between the massage group and the control group, and between the ES group and the control group, whereas no statistically significant difference was found between the massage group and the ES group. [Conclusion] Electrical stimulation was shown to enhance muscle fatigue recovery caused by anaerobic exercise by Taekwondo athletes.