Study on the Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Exercise-Induced Fatigue Recovery in Basketball Players: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The high-intensity, intermittent nature of basketball often leads to significant fatigue in athletes. This study evaluates the efficacy of electrical muscle stimulation on exercise-induced fatigue recovery in basketball players through a systematic review. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Chinese and English databases (2000–2024), including experimental studies investigating the effects of EMS intervention following exercise. Results: A total of 18 studies were included. Qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis indicated that, compared with passive rest, EMS effectively alleviates muscle soreness, accelerates the recovery of lower limb explosive power and muscle strength, and promotes the recovery of certain blood markers (such as blood lactate). Conclusion: Current evidence supports EMS as an effective adjunct recovery method for basketball players. Future studies should focus on optimizing application parameters and exploring its long-term effects.