NCT06036953

Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Muscle Mass, Strength, and Body Composition

Effect of 8-week Frequency-specific Electrical Muscle Stimulation Combined With Resistance Exercise Training on Muscle Mass, Strength, and Body Composition in Men and Women: A Feasibility and Safety Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 28 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Taiwan Sport University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In recent years, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) devices have been developed as a complementary training technique that is novel, attractive, and time-saving for physical fitness and rehabilitation. While it is known that EMS training can improve muscle mass and strength, most studies have focused on the elderly or specific patient populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of frequency-specific EMS combined with resistance exercise training for 8 weeks on muscle mass, strength, power, body composition, and parameters related to exercise fatigue. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of EMS as an exercise aid to improve body composition. We recruited 14 male and 14 female subjects who were randomly assigned to two groups with gender parity (7 male and 7 female/group): (1) no EMS group and (2) daily EMS group. Blood biochemical routine analysis was performed every 4 weeks from pre-intervention to post-intervention, and body composition, muscle strength, and explosive power were evaluated 8 weeks before and after the intervention. We also performed an exercise challenge analysis of fatigue biochemical indicators after 8 weeks of intervention.

Conditions

• Electrical Muscle Stimulation
• Exercise
• Resistance Training

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	electrical muscle stimulation	The electric muscle stimulator (EMS) used in this study was from Funcare (Funcare Co., Ltd, Taichung, Taiwan). EMS electrodes were attached to the biceps of both hands, the abdomen, and the quadriceps of both legs sequentially. Each part was stimulated once a day for 30 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-11-15
• Primary completion: 2022-01-14
• Completion: 2022-11-23
• First posted: 2023-09-14
• Last updated: 2023-09-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan