Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Physical Fitness in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Whole-body electromyostiulation (WB-EMS) has experienced a boom in recent years, even though its effectiveness is controversial. A sedentary lifestyle is deeply rooted in the European population, mainly in the elderly. This experimental study analyzed the impact of WB-EMS on the physical fitness of postmenopausal women. Thirty-four healthy sedentary women between 55 and 69 years followed an experimental design pre–post-test. Both groups conducted a ten-week aerobic and strength training program. The experimental group overlaid the WB-EMS during exercise. At the end of the intervention, both groups improved upper and lower body strength, lower extremity flexibility, agility, and speed levels (pBonferroni < 0.05). Significant interactions were observed at upper and lower body strength, agility, speed, and cardiovascular endurance (p < 0.05). The WB-EMS group scored better agility than the control group at the end of the intervention (pBonferroni < 0.05) and was the only group that improved cardiovascular endurance. WB-EMS shows a favorable isolate effect on the development of dynamic leg strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance but did not in dynamic arm strength, gait speed, balance, or flexibility of postmenopausal women.

Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on function, muscle mass, strength, social participation, and falls-efficacy in older people: A randomized trial protocol

“…WB-EMS exercises present an opportunity to increase adherence to an exercise program in the elderly, since it is a less time-consuming therapy than conventional resistance exercises [ 29 ]. Recently uncovered evidence has revealed that WB-EMS may be a beneficial alternative to conventional physical exercise in different populations, especially in the elderly [ 17 ]. Recent studies have also shown that this new technology is feasible and effective for older people and is a favorable option for improving body composition and physical strength in postmenopausal and overweight women [ 19 , 29 ].…”

“…Hence, new training strategies should be optimized to improve adherence to therapeutic programs in the elderly [ 16 ]. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) has recently been used as a resistance training option [ 17 ].…”

“…One of the advantages of WB-EMS is that it acts directly toward the synthesis of skeletal muscle proteins and is faster than conventional techniques. Some studies have shown that 18 min of training, twice a week for 12 months, increased appendicular muscle mass, strength, and decreased abdominal fat mass [ 17 , 19 ]. In addition, WB-EMS was feasible, had high adherence and low dropout rates among the elderly [ 17 , 19 ].…”

“…Some studies have shown that 18 min of training, twice a week for 12 months, increased appendicular muscle mass, strength, and decreased abdominal fat mass [ 17 , 19 ]. In addition, WB-EMS was feasible, had high adherence and low dropout rates among the elderly [ 17 , 19 ]. Despite demonstrating promising results, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of WB-EMS in the elderly or patient outcomes related to functional capacity and follow-up [ 19 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Impact of Whole Body Electromyostimulation on Velocity, Power and Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This study is part of a large project conducted from September to November 2018, and data related to Physical fitness after 10 weeks of WB-EMS training (i.e., balance, strength, flexibility, agility, speed, and cardiovascular resistance) have been published elsewhere [34]. In the present manuscript, we included the comparisons between pre to post 10 weeks focused on power and velocity as well as body composition.…”