In a nutshell, PT David Markovich says a number of corrects things, but his education is lacking in EMS for Sport training. He even says it himself: “I have not seen anything regarding EMS for Sport training”. One is misled into thinking that he has not seen anything, because there is nothing. Here is a bibliographic link. An easy read to summarize EMS use in Sport is:
Maffiuletti NA. The use of electrostimulation exercise in competitive sport. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2006;1(4):406-7. (PDF from the link)

* Abstract: After a brief introduction on electrostimulation methodology and applications in competitive sport for performance optimization, this technical report presents the principal effects of electrostimulation-induced resistance exercise on neuromuscular features. The advantages and limitations of this technique compared with those of voluntary exercise training are also discussed. Excellent concise scientific summary supporting EMS use in sport; only lacking in support for AR, which research subsequent to this summary found positive. The writer Nicola A. Maffiuletti, PhD, has been studying and researching neuromuscular electrophysiology for over 15 years, and has contributed more than 70 articles to the field, and authored dozens of studies published in peer-reviewed journals around the world. He is the Director, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Schulthess Clinic by Zurich, Switzerland.

If you notice in the bibliography most research is published by European authors; unfortunately education in the US on this subject is sub-par. I know this first hand, after auditing a couple of classes in the Master program for PT, at one of the top institution in the field (U. of Connecticut, was voted #1 doctoral program in Kinesiology in the country). Not much is taught in terms of how parameters affect EMS, and there are at least half a dozen of such parameters that need to be mastered in order to do it correctly. Please check out the blog of one coach who has tried Globus, the hand-held EMS I import and distribute.

* What I’ve found good in PT David Markovich’s interview:
o Good explanation of TENS vs NMES (aka EMS), he seems very competent in TENS, too many people confuse them;
o You are asking the right questions, i.e. if it can improve endurance and recovery;
o he explains that EMS can help micro trauma;
o he explains that the temperature patterns shown are generated through increased blood circulation;
o EMS do not burn calories (mainly because they activate a muscle vs the whole system of several muscles, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems;
o It needs to be done properly.
* Bad:
o he has not read sport studies, yet talks about them as if he had; there are actually many, which he needs to read;
o he doesn’t believe one can gets stronger biceps, that has been shown it can be done;
o He says that the bigger units are better; there are actually professional hand-held units;
o Units that clinicians use are multiple thousand $; there are actually good ones around the $1,000 price level;
o He says that 9-Volt-battery-operated units are no good; battery doesn’t necessarily equate with bad quality, electrons are electrons, no matter whether they come out of the outlet or out of a battery; he’s states that only because he uses large units that plug into an outlet.

So overall I praise you for the effort, but what the interview with David is not presenting, is the truth about electrical stimulation devices in sport, which is the main topic your audience is interested about. I’ve also found a paper that PT Markovich has written in collaboration for the VST device you tried, and I’m sorry to say that many of the claims in that white paper completely unscientific, and incorrect. I also checked out the characteristics of the machine you tried and I saw that it’s an underpowered machine, at least compared to the machine I distribute.

One notable coach who has used EMS with world class athletes is Charlie Francis. Charlie used EMS with sprinters for the last 40 years. He used most notably (or infamously) with Ben Johnson (overnight 100 m world champion, then stripped of the title because of steroid abuse). Regardless of what you think of Ben Johnson, it shows that EMS is a complement to sport training.

http://barefootrunningshoes.org/2009/10/08/nike-free-versus-vibram-five-fingers-10-points/

I am still a fan of the VFFs tho