Once-Weekly Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Increases Strength, Stability and Body Composition in Amateur Golfers. A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), an innovative training technology, is considered as a joint-friendly, highly customizable and particularly time-effective option for improving muscle strength and stability, body composition and pain relief. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 16 weeks of once-weekly WB-EMS on maximum isometric trunk (MITS), leg extensor strength (MILES), lean body mass (LBM) and body-fat content. A cohort of 54 male amateur golfers, 18 to 70 years old and largely representative for healthy adults, were randomly assigned to a WB-EMS (n = 27) or a control group (CG: n = 27). Bipolar low-frequency WB-EMS combined with low-intensity movements was conducted once per week for 20 min at the participants’ locations, while the CG maintained their habitual activity. The intention to treat analysis with multiple imputation was applied. After 16 weeks of once-weekly WB-EMS application with an attendance rate close to 100%, we observed significant WB-EMS effects on MITS (p < 0.001), MILES (p = 0.001), LBM (p = 0.034), but not body-fat content (p = 0.080) and low-back pain (LBP: p ≥ 0.078). In summary, the commercial setting of once-weekly WB-EMS application is effective to enhance stability, maximum strength, body composition and, to a lower extent, LBP in amateur golfers widely representative for a healthy male cohort.

Once Weekly Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Enhances Muscle Quality in Men: Data of the Randomized Controlled Franconian Electromyostimulation and Golf Study

“…One main aim of the present project focuses on the effect of once 20 min/week WB-EMS, the standard protocol of commercial, non-medical WB-EMS in a cohort of moderately sportive men 18-70 years old. In a previous article of this project (Zink-Rückel et al, 2021), we reported the positive effects on once weekly WB-EMS on trunk (p = 0.001, d´ = 1.33) and leg extensor strength (p = 0.001, d´ = 0.94). However, apart from the simple proof of principle, certainly most welcome for the commercial WB-EMS community, the underlying mechanisms for these changes are of scientific interest.…”

“…Thus, the untested generalization of scientific results to the commercial setting is hardy justified. However, applying the standard setting of commercial WB-EMS in Germany (once weekly 20 min), we observed significant positive effects on maximum trunk and leg-extensor strength in a cohort of amateur golfers 18–70 years old ( Zink-Rückel et al, 2021 ). Nevertheless, apart from this proof of principle, it is important to determine underlying mechanisms for strength changes after WB-EMS application.…”

“…For the present evaluation, we used data from the Franconian EMS and Golf (FREMGO) study that evaluates the effect of once weekly WB-EMS on changes of golf performance, strength, and body composition (Zink-Rückel et al, 2021),…”

“…For the present evaluation, we used data from the Franconian EMS and Golf (FREMGO) study that evaluates the effect of once weekly WB-EMS on changes of golf performance, strength, and body composition ( Zink-Rückel et al, 2021 ), including fatty muscle infiltration in a cohort of healthy amateur golfers 18–70 years old. The study was initiated and conducted by the Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the present MRI approach was supported by the Institute of Radiology, FAU.…”

Golf and Health, More than 18 Holes—A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Already in 2021, we found a large number of publications, as in 2020, specifically, 28 publications that related golf and health [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 , 191 , 192 , 193 , 194 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 ], 6 of them in both databases [ 71 , 73 , 100 , 102 , 185 , 190 ]. The main line of research continues to be the health benefits of sport [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] and studies on injuries [ 145 , 146 , 177 , 178 , 179 ] or risks to players on the golf course [ 183 , 187 ].…”