Analysis of the Effects of Neuromodulation Suit Application on Muscle Contractile Properties in an Elite Football Player: A Case Study

Background: Neuromodulation encompasses a range of methods aimed at selectively modifying nervous system function to enhance motor and neurophysiological processes. Although neuromodulation suits have shown benefits in clinical populations, their application in sports remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this case study was to examine the acute effects of a neuromodulation suit on the contractile properties of the rectus femoris muscle in an elite football player. Methods: The subject was an 18.8-year-old male professional football player. After conducting an anthropometric evaluation, initial tensiomyography (TMG) was carried out to evaluate the contractile properties of the rectus femoris, such as delay time (Td), contraction time (Tc), sustain time (Ts), relaxation time (Tr), and maximum radial displacement (Dm), in both legs. The athlete then donned a neuromodulation suit set to 20 Hz for a duration of 60 min. Following this, the same TMG measurements were repeated to assess post-intervention changes. Results: The right leg showed a reduction in Tc from 33.33 to 31.93 milliseconds (ms); Dm increased from 6.61 to 11.17 millimeters (mm). Conversely, the left rectus femoris exhibited prolonged Tc from 26.84 to 29.45 ms. Conclusions: A single 60 min session of neuromodulation suit application produced acute changes in muscle contractile properties. Findings suggest a potential positive effect on rapid force production and reduced muscle stiffness, alongside notable inter-limb variability.