The Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Inflammation and Performance-Related Indices in Trained Athletes: A Double-Blinded Crossover Study.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2023 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 5776

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2023

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Previous investigations have demonstrated the therapeutic advantages of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) in mitigating inflammation and influencing biological processes. We aimed to shed light on the effects of ELF-EMF on recovery rate following high-intensity exercise. Nine male athletes (26.7 ± 6.0 years; 69.6 ± 7.7 kg, VOpeak 57.3 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min) completed five visits in a double-blinded crossover design, performing two consecutive testing days, following a ventilatory thresholds assessment. Following 62 min of high-intensity cycling, participants lay on an ELF-EMF mattress under active (A) and non-active (NA) conditions, immediately post protocol and during the night. Physical performance and blood markers were assessed at baseline and at 60 min (60 P) and 24 h (24 H) post-protocol. The A-condition demonstrated a notable reduction in interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations (mean difference = -88%, = 0.032) and maximal isometric strength of the quadriceps muscles (mean difference = ~8%, = 0.045) compared to the NA-condition between 60 P and 24 H. In a sensitivity analysis, the A-condition revealed that younger athletes who possessed lower fat mass experienced attenuated inflammation and biochemical responses and improved physical performance. In conclusion, ELF-EMF showed no significant overall effects on performance and inflammation after intense cycling among athletes. Post-hoc analysis revealed modest benefits of ELF-MLF, suggesting a context-dependent impact. Further research with a larger sample size and multiple sessions is needed to confirm the recovery potential of ELF-EMF.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

PopulationTrained male athletes

Sample size9

ExposureELF · Immediately post-exercise and during the night (after 62 min high-intensity cycling); outcomes assessed at 60 min and 24 h post-protocol

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this double-blinded crossover study (active vs non-active ELF-EMF mattress), there were no significant overall effects of ELF-EMF on performance and inflammation after intense cycling. Between 60 min and 24 h post-protocol, the active condition showed reduced IL-10 concentrations and reduced maximal isometric quadriceps strength compared with the non-active condition. A sensitivity analysis suggested younger athletes with lower fat mass had attenuated inflammation/biochemical responses and improved performance under the active condition.

Outcomes measured

Inflammation markers (including interleukin-10, IL-10)
Physical performance indices (including maximal isometric quadriceps strength)
Biochemical responses (unspecified)
Recovery rate following high-intensity exercise

Limitations

Very small sample size (n=9)
Post-hoc/sensitivity analyses suggest context-dependent effects
Single study with call for larger sample size and multiple sessions

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "ELF-EMF mattress",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Immediately post-exercise and during the night (after 62 min high-intensity cycling); outcomes assessed at 60 min and 24 h post-protocol"
  },
  "population": "Trained male athletes",
  "sample_size": 9,
  "outcomes": [
    "Inflammation markers (including interleukin-10, IL-10)",
    "Physical performance indices (including maximal isometric quadriceps strength)",
    "Biochemical responses (unspecified)",
    "Recovery rate following high-intensity exercise"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this double-blinded crossover study (active vs non-active ELF-EMF mattress), there were no significant overall effects of ELF-EMF on performance and inflammation after intense cycling. Between 60 min and 24 h post-protocol, the active condition showed reduced IL-10 concentrations and reduced maximal isometric quadriceps strength compared with the non-active condition. A sensitivity analysis suggested younger athletes with lower fat mass had attenuated inflammation/biochemical responses and improved performance under the active condition.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (n=9)",
    "Post-hoc/sensitivity analyses suggest context-dependent effects",
    "Single study with call for larger sample size and multiple sessions"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "inflammation",
    "recovery",
    "high-intensity exercise",
    "cycling",
    "athletes",
    "double-blinded",
    "crossover",
    "interleukin-10",
    "quadriceps strength"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.15,
      "reason": "Study involves trained athletes and performance/recovery; not clearly occupational, but relates to human performance context rather than consumer RF sources."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713463
PubMed: 37686264

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