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

Carina Zink-Rückel,Wolfgang Kemmler,Sebastian Willert,Simon Von Stengel,Matthias Kohl

doi:10.3390/ijerph18115628

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.

Highlights

General stability, muscle strength, body composition and pain prevention and/or relief are important goals for mastering everyday tasks and preventing diseases in increased age (e.g., [1])
Using the vehicle of an ongoing project in amateur/hobby golfers, we aimed to determine the effect of once-weekly 20 min sessions of Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on muscle strength, body composition and low-back pain in healthy adult males
While BMI was comparable between the groups, participants of the WB-EMS were taller and heavier

Summary

Introduction

Muscle strength, body composition and pain prevention and/or relief are important goals for mastering everyday tasks and preventing diseases in increased age (e.g., [1]). The reasons given for this absence from exercise are predominately time constraints, physical limitations or little enthusiasm for exercise conducted alone [9,10]. Recent studies (summarized in [11,12]) have reported favorable results of WB-EMS on muscle strength, body composition and low-back pain, albeit with respect to training frequency as a crucial parameter, for the given outcome and for participants’ acceptance and compliance with the exercise protocol [13], the WB-EMS protocols of scientific studies [11,14] vary considerably from the once-weekly 20 min WB-EMS protocol of commercial

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Conclusion