Does whole-body electrical muscle stimulation combined with strength training promote morphofunctional alterations?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength training (ST) combined with whole-body electrical stimulation (EMS) on morphofunctional adaptations in active individuals.METHODS:Fifty-eight volunteers were randomly distributed into the following groups: an untrained control (UN) group (n=16), an ST group (n=21) or an ST combined with EMS (ST+EMS) group (n=21). Both intervention groups (the ST and ST+EMS groups) performed 3 exercises (biceps curl, back squats and high-pulley tricep extensions) twice a week for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 3 sets of 8 to 12 maximum repetitions (MRs) with a 90-second rest duration between sets. The ST+EMS group performed the resistance training exercises wearing a whole-body suit that provided electrical stimulation at frequencies between 80-85 Hz, with a continuously bipolar impulse duration and pulse breadth of 350 µs. The intensity for each muscle group was controlled by Borg’s category ratio (CR)-10 scale; the intensity started at 5-6 and eventually reached 7-8. One-repetition maximum strength (1RM) and muscle thickness (MT) were measured before and after the training intervention. MT was evaluated in the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), and vastus lateralis (VL).RESULTS:No differences (p>0.05) were found between the ST and ST+EMS groups. Improvements (p<0.05) in the absolute values of the morphofunctional parameters after the training protocol were observed. Significant differences were found between both the intervention groups and the UN group (p<0.05). The ST+EMS group presented high percentage changes (p<0.05) in muscular strength for the 1RMsquat (43.2%, ES=1.64) and the MT of the BB (21.6%, ES=1.21) compared to the ST (20.5%, ES=1.43, 11.9%, ES=0.77) group.CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that the combination of ST+EMS may promote alterations in muscle strength and MT in healthy active subjects.

Effects of Whole Body Electrostimulation Associated With Body Weight Training on Functional Capacity and Body Composition in Inactive Older People

“…In order to improve motivation to practice physical exercises (Fortier et al, 2016 ), as well as to maximize the results of more traditional interventions, several strategies have been developed. Among them, training with whole body electrostimulation (WB-EMS) has gained popularity and is increasingly offered by gyms and fitness centers in many countries, including Brazil (Evangelista et al, 2019b ). Whole body electrostimulation has been shown to potentiate the effects of resistance training performed with body weight, leading to greater increases in strength and muscle mass (Kemmler et al, 2018 ).…”

Eletroestimulação De Corpo Inteiro: Uma Breve Revisão Narrativa Sobre Seus Benefícios E Riscos/Whole-Body Electrostimulation: A Brief Narrative Review of Its Benefits and Risks

“…Evangelista et al [10] Considerando esses achados, a WB-EMS parece uma técnica eficaz para promover adaptações neuromusculares importantes. Quanto à hipertrofia, apesar dos resultados interessantes, estudos com técnicas mais específicas de análise (ex.…”

“…O WB-EMS surgiu como a evolução da estimulação elétrica tradicional do músculo (EMS), aplicada localmente em sessões de reabilitação na fisioterapia [1]. Com o avanço da tecnologia, equipamentos mais novos permitem ativar vários grupos musculares de maneira sincronizada, o que permite obter resultados similares a outros modelos de treinamento (como a musculação, por exemplo) [10]. O sistema utilizado nos equipamentos para WB-EMS trabalha usando um estimulador elétrico que possui diversos canais de ativação muscular.…”

Resistance Exercise, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, and Whole-Body Vibration in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Our analyses could not confirm or indicate any effects of EMS interventions. EMS has previously been shown to be effective in counteracting muscle weakness in advanced disease [ 101 ] and sarcopenia in older adults [ 30 , 32 ], and even to provide additive effects in terms of morphological outcomes when combined with RT in healthy adults [ 102 ]. However, the effect of EMS on functional performance of the older adults are less consistent [ 103 ].…”