Can Adding EMS Increase Oxygen Demand for Wheelchair Athletes?

Scientists at the German Sport University Cologne studied 12 elite wheelchair basketball players from the German national team. They measured oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse, heart rate and lactate during handcycling alone versus handcycling with concurrent low-frequency EMS on the glutes, thighs and calves. VO₂ rose significantly from 17.60 to 19.23 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ (p=0.001). Oxygen pulse climbed from 16.69 to 18.41 ml (p=0.002). Lactate increased more with EMS, while perceived effort stayed similar. These measured rises show EMS can boost oxygen demand during upper-body exercise. This suggests EMS offers a useful training stimulus for wheelchair basketball players and people who use wheelchairs. Published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, the findings come from trusted German researchers. Read the full blog post for the complete story and deeper details. https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/ems-oxygen-uptake-wheelchair-basketball-study