Abstract
Exercise positively affects most risk factors, diseases and disabling conditions of middle to advanced age, however the majority of middle-aged to older people fall short of the exercise doses recommended for positively affecting cardio-metabolic, musculoskeletal and neurophysiological fitness or disabling conditions. Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) may be a promising exercise technology for people unable or unmotivated to exercise conventionally. However, until recently there has been a dearth of evidence with respect to WB-EMS-induced effects on health-related outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the effects, limitations and risks of WB-EMS as a preventive or therapeutic tool for non-athletic adults. Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Eric were run to identify randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses of individual patient data and peer reviewed scientific theses that examined (1) WB-EMS-induced changes of musculoskeletal risk factors and diseases (2) WB-EMS-induced changes of functional capacity and physical fitness (3) WB-EMS-induced changes of cardio-metabolic risk factors and diseases (4) Risk factors of WB-EMS application and adverse effects during WB-EMS interventions. Two researchers independently reviewed articles for eligibility and methodological quality. Twenty-three eligible research articles generated by fourteen research projects were finally included. In summary, thirteen projects were WB-EMS trials and one study was a meta-analysis of individual patient data. WB-EMS significantly improves muscle mass and function while reducing fat mass and low back pain. Although there is some evidence of a positive effect of WB-EMS on cardio-metabolic risk factors, this aspect requires further detailed study. Properly applied and supervised, WB-EMS appears to be a safe training technology. In summary, WB-EMS represents a safe and reasonable option for cohorts unable or unwilling to join conventional exercise programs. However, much like all other types of exercise, WB-EMS does not affect every aspect of physical performance and health.
Highlights
The growing prevalence and severity of chronic diseases along with the multi-morbidity of our adult population are creating an ever-greater strain on the healthcare systems of western nations
A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Eric for all articles published in English and German up to October 30, 2017, on the effect of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on muscle mass, physical functioning, bone mass, cardio-metabolic diseases and low back pain
The literature search was constructed around search terms for “Whole-Body Electromyostimulation,” “muscle mass,” “muscle strength/physical functioning,” “bone mineral density,” “cardio-metabolic diseases,” “low back pain” consistently with the focus on “adults.” A standard protocol for this search was developed and controlled vocabulary (Mesh term for MEDLINE) was used
Summary
The growing prevalence and severity of chronic diseases along with the multi-morbidity of our adult population are creating an ever-greater strain on the healthcare systems of western nations. Reviewing the present literature (Pedersen and Saltin, 2006; Börjesson et al, 2010), there is a consensus that exercise positively affects most, if not all, risk factors, diseases and disabling conditions of middle to advanced age. A considerable proportion of people at advanced age (Carlson et al, 2010; Statistisches-Bundesamt, 2016), i.e., individuals with a more pronounced need for health-enhancing approaches, might be unable or unmotivated to perform conventional exercise programs with the necessary dose. Considering the rather low exercise volume of 1–2 sessions of 20 min/week, the low voluntary intensity and the high degree of supervision and individualization of present WB-EMS settings might attract people with low affinity to conventional exercise programs. (1) WB-EMS-induced changes of musculoskeletal risk factors and diseases. (3) WB-EMS-induced changes of cardio-metabolic risk factors and diseases. (4) Risk factors of WB-EMS application and adverse effects during WB-EMS interventions
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