Impact of whole-body electromyostimulation on body composition in elderly women at risk for sarcopenia: the Training and ElectroStimulation Trial (TEST-III)

Abstract

Most studies have confirmed the positive impact of resistance training on muscle mass and functional capacity in aging adults. However, due to physical limitation or a simple aversion against regular exercise, the majority of elderly subjects do not reach the exercise doses recommended for impacting strength or muscle mass. This led us to evaluate the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), a novel, timeefficient and smooth training technology, on body composition with special regard to sarcopenia. Seventy-six lean, non-sportive women (75±4 years) were randomly assigned to either a WB-EMS group (WB-EMS, n=38) that performed 18 min of WB-EMS (bipolar, 85 Hz) 3 sessions in 14 days (1.5 sessions/week) or a semi-active control group (aCG, n=38). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and maximum strength was evaluated using isometric techniques for trunk and legs. After 54 weeks of intervention, significant inter-group differences were determined for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (WB-EMS, 0.4±2.2 % vs. aCG, −1.5±3.1 %; p=0.009), lean body mass (WB-EMS, 0.8±1.8 % vs. aCG, −0.8±2.7 %; p=0.008) and maximum isometric strength (leg extensors, 9.8±12.9 % vs. 0.2±10.4 %; p=0.003; trunk extensors, 10.1±12.7 vs. −1.6±8.6 %; p=0.001). Although borderline significant for abdominal fat mass (WB-EMS, −2.9±8.3 vs. aCG, 1.5±10.7 %; p=0.069), differences did not reach statistically significant levels for body fat parameters. Considering the clinical effectiveness for impacting sarcopenia and the good acceptance of this technology by this non-sportive cohort of elderly women, we conclude that for elderly subjects unable or unwilling to perform dynamic strength exercises, electromyostimulation may be a less off-putting alternative to maintain lean body mass and strength.

The Application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training in Various Non‐neurologic Patient Populations: A Narrative Review

“…Some studies have found an increase in muscle force after NMES training in hospitalized patients with various pathologies, which was greater than what was achieved with conventional rehabilitation training [5,116]. Unsurprisingly, greater strength improvements were found with whole‐body NMES (NMES of trunk, upper arms, buttocks, and thighs) compared with no training in weak but otherwise‐healthy elderly women [86]. However, strength improvements were inferior to those achieved by volitional strength training in orthopedic patients [117].…”

Whole-body electromyostimulation to fight sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older women at risk. Resultsof the randomized controlled FORMOsA-sarcopenic obesity study

“…Unlike local EMS application, WB-EMS enables the simultaneous activation of the muscles of up to 16 regions with a total size of electrodes of 2650 cm 2 and with different dedicated intensities per region. Thus, WB-EMS is a time-efficient and also physically less exhausting technology that positively affects muscle mass, fat mass, and functional capacity, and generates high adherence in non-exercisers [16][17][18][19]. Considering most elderly people's suboptimal diets with low amounts of protein, an accompanying protein-rich dietary supplement may increase the effects of WB-EMS alone [11].…”

Impact of whole body electromyostimulation on cardiometabolic risk factors in older women with sarcopenic obesity: the randomized controlled FORMOsA-sarcopenic obesity study

“…However, the majority of older people unfortunately do not fulfill the recommended exercise doses for positive impact on muscle mass, obesity, or other issues of cardiometabolic risk factors 10. For people who are unable or unwilling to exercise with the necessary amount and effort, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) may be an option 11. In fact, WB-EMS is time-efficient and less debilitating, thus producing higher acceptance among nonathletes 12.…”

“…Furthermore, WB-EMS has demonstrated positive effects on muscle and fat mass, and a gain of functional capacity in older sedentary people 13. However, even though there is some evidence that WB-EMS and WB-EMS-induced changes of body composition favorably decreased the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older people,4,11 no study clearly addresses this issue. We consider this issue to be important for this cohort because the prevalence of the MetS is: a) increased among the elderly14 and b) subjects with SO are at a high risk for cardiometabolic diseases 15.…”