Acute neuromuscular fatigue responses to Russian current in Paralympic powerlifting athletes

Background: Paralympic powerlifting (PP) focuses on increasing strength through specific mechanical adaptations. Neuromuscular activations are known to differ between conventional and Paralympic athletes, making it essential to investigate strategies to optimize training and improve performance in the sport. This study investigates the impact of Russian current associated with traditional training on dynamic strength indicators (speed and power) in PP athletes after a single session. Methods: This is a randomized crossover clinical trial, conducted over three weeks, in which maximum velocity (MV), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), and power (PO) were analyzed before, during, after, 24 h, and 48 h after the intervention. In the first week, athletes performed initial and familiarization tests. In the following weeks, they underwent conventional training (TT) and training preceded by electrical stimulation (TPE), with protocols reversed between weeks. Results: At 45% of 1RM (maximum repetition), there was a significant reduction in power between the time points after 24 h (466.40 W) and before (522.69 W) (p = 0.009), with no differences between the conditions. At 80% of 1RM, MPV differed in series 4 (p = 0.026) and MV in series 1 (p = 0.020) and 4 (p = 0.003). There was no impact on power. Conclusions: Acute use of electrostimulation did not improve performance. Clinical Trial Registration: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8ypr4kj, RBR-8ypr4k (Retrospectively registered).

Paralympic powerlifting; Strength training; Electrostimulation; Electrical stimulation; Russian current

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