Electrical Stimulation Muscle Training Research Articles

Acute Compartment Syndrome and Rhabdomyolysis Caused by a Single Electrical Muscle Stimulation in a 46-Year-Old Female Professional Athlete With Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Disorder: A Case Report.

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training has been recognized as an effective modality for improving body composition, enhancing body strength, and facilitating injury recovery. However, individuals who are new to EMS training and those with certain chronic diseases should exercise caution due to the increased risk of rhabdomyolysis. This case report describes the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis and gluteal compartment syndrome following a single session of EMS training in a 46-year-old Caucasian female professional athlete. The patient was successfully managed with intensive intravenous fluid therapy and sodium bicarbonate supplementation, along with close monitoring of electrolytes and renal function. Electrical muscle stimulation training poses an increased risk of severe complications in individuals with chronic diseases and myopathy. Therefore, careful subject selection is required for EMS training in individuals with chronic diseases and myopathy to prevent common side effects. For individuals trying EMS training for the first time, it is recommended to avoid high-frequency EMS exercises.

Effect of electrical stimulation training and detraining on abdominal muscle function.

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) has been applied in many rehabilitation settings for muscle strengthening, facilitation of muscle contraction, re-education of muscle action, and maintenance of muscle strength and size during prolonged immobilization. The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of 8 weeks of EMS training on abdominal muscle function and to determine whether the training effect could be maintained after 4 weeks of EMS detraining. Twenty-five subjects performed EMS training for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 weeks of EMS training, and after 4 weeks of EMS detraining, muscle size (cross-sectional area [CSA] of the rectus abdominals [RA] and lateral abdominal wall [LAW]), strength, endurance, and lumbopelvic control (LC) were measured. There were significant increases in CSA [RA (p< 0.001); LAW (p< 0.001)], strength [trunk flexor (p= 0.005); side-bridge (p< 0.05)], endurance [trunk flexor (p= 0.010); side-bridge (p< 0.05)], and LC (p< 0.05) after 8 weeks of EMS training. The CSA of the RA (p< 0.05) and the LAW (p< 0.001) were measured after 4 weeks of detraining and they were greater than that of the baseline. There were no significant differences in abdominal strength, endurance, and LC between baseline measurements and post-detraining. The study indicates that there is less of a detraining effect on muscle size than on muscle strength, endurance, and LC.

Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia and Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Cognitive and Physiological Metrics.

This study describes the effects of interval hypoxic training and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology on human productivity with the following metrics: biochemical indices, cognitive abilities, changes in oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (Hb) hemoglobin concentrations over the prefrontal cortex, and functional connectivity via electroencephalography (EEG). All measurements according to the described technology were made before the start of training and one month later, right after it ended. The study involved middle-aged Indo-European men. Specifically, there were 14, 15, and 18 participants in the control, hypoxic, and EMS groups, respectively. EMS training improved reactions and nonverbal memory but decreased attention scores. Functional connectivity decreased in the EMS group while it increased in the hypoxic group. A result of the interval normobaric hypoxic training (IHT) was significantly improved contextual memory, with a p-value = 0.08. It was found that EMS training is more likely to cause stress on the body than positively affect cognitive functions. At the same time, interval hypoxic training can be considered a promising direction for increasing human productivity. The data obtained during the study can also help in the timely diagnosis of insufficient or overestimated indicators of biochemistry.

The Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training on Body Composition, Balance and Jumping in Sedentary Women

Bu araştırmanın amacı, sedanter kadınlarda 6 haftalık EMS ile kombine olarak yapılan yüksek şiddetli egzersizlerin fiziksel performansa etkilerini incelenmesidir. Araştırma, deney (TV-EMS) (yaş = 25,6  1,26 yıl, n=10) ve kontrol grubu (yaş = 25,6  1,26 yıl, n=10) grubu olmak üzere 20 genç gönüllü kadın üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada, deney grubu toplamda 18 seans (3seans/6 hft) 20 dakikalık tüm vücut EMS egzersizi gerçekleştirmiştir. Kontrol grubu da aynı egzersizleri EMS cihazı olmadan gerçekleştirmiştir. Çalışma öncesinde ve sonrasında vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ), denge ve sıçrama performansları ölçülmüştür. Verilerin analizi için SPSS v 26.0 yazılımı kullanılmıştır. Betimsel değerler için aritmetik ortalama ve standart sapma analizleri TV-EMS grubu ile kontrol grubuna ait ön ve son testler arasındaki iki faktörlü tekrarlanan ölçümlü ANOVA yapılmıştır. Tüm istatistiksel testler için anlamlılık kriteri p &amp;lt; 0.05 olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırma bulgularına göre, grupların son test ölçümlerinin karşılaştırmasında VKİ, % yağ oranı, denge ve sıçrama değerlerinde anlamlı farklılık görülmezken, yağsız kütle değerlerinde TV-EMS grubu, kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı düzeyde artış göstermiştir. Bu bulgu sonucunda, deneysel prosedürün daha uzun süre yapılması halinde VKİ’ de değişim olabileceği, % yağ değerlerinde azalma meydana gelebileceği düşünülebilir. Ancak sedanter kadınlarda EMS ile yapılan antrenmanların fiziksel performans (sıçrama ve denge) değerlerine olumlu etkisinin olmadığı söylenebilir.

The Effect of Whole Body Electromyostimulation Exercises on Improving Static Balance and Self-Efficacy in the Elderly

The primary aim of this research was to investigate the effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on the enhancement of static balance and self-efficacy in elderly individuals. This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test design, encompassing two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The study involved elderly women aged between 65 and 70 years from Mashhad. Twenty participants from this age group were voluntarily and selectively recruited in accordance with the objectives of the study. They were then randomly divided into two groups: one receiving EMS training and the other serving as a control group. Data collection involved administering the Elderly Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and conducting static balance tests, including the use of a Biodex device and the Sharpened Romberg test, at both the pre-test and post-test phases. The EMS training lasted for 8 weeks, with two 20-minute sessions per week, and was divided into three phases: adaptation (2 weeks), initial exercises (2 weeks), and main exercises (4 weeks). The control group did not receive any intervention during this period. Post-test evaluations were conducted for both groups, similar to the pre-test. The Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze changes both within and between groups, employing a significance threshold of less than five percent, with the analysis conducted using SPSS software, version 24. The findings indicated that EMS exercises significantly improved static balance in the elderly (p &lt; 0.05). However, these exercises did not demonstrate a significant effect on the elderly's self-efficacy (p &lt; 0.05). Given these results, coaches and caregivers are encouraged to consider electrical muscle stimulation as a viable, safe method to augment balance and independent mobility in elderly women.

Comparative efficacy of exercise modalities for cardiopulmonary function in hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

To provide reliable evidence to exercise rehabilitation therapists and clinicians, we compared and analyzed the effects of different exercise modalities on cardiopulmonary function in hemodialysis patients using Bayesian network meta-analysis. PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORT Discus, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched from inception to July 20, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials comparing 12 exercise modalities to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in hemodialysis patients. All statistical analysis was performed using STATA and R. A total of 82 randomized controlled trials involving 4146 maintenance hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The pair-wise meta-analysis showed that all exercise modalities had a positive effect on all indicators of cardiorespiratory capacity. The network meta-analysis demonstrated that Blood flow restriction training (BFRT), Cycle exercise (CE), Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), Combined aerobic and resistance training (CT), and Aerobic training (AT) were significantly better than usual care for 6-min walkability; Medium intensity continuous training (MICT), CT, CE, and AT were considerably better than usual care for VO2Peak; body and mind training (MBT) and CT significantly improved SBP compared to usual care; and only MBT was significantly better than usual care for DBP. Both the two-dimensional plot and the radar plot demonstrated that CT had the best combined-effect on each index of cardiorespiratory fitness. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses demonstrated the robustness of the results. The evidence was mainly "low" to "very low" for this network meta-analysis. There is no one exercise that can achieve the best effect on all of the outcomes. The benefits of MBT in decreasing arterial blood pressure are unsurpassed by other exercise methods. The intervention effect of the CT is better and more stable. Electrical muscle stimulation training (MEST) can be employed in individuals who do not wish to exercise actively but may cause an increase in blood pressure. On the basis of the characteristics of different exercise types, guidelines developers, clinicians, and patients may employ them appropriately. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails.

BASKETBOLCULARDA ELEKTRİKSEL KAS UYARIMI İLE BİRLEŞTİRİLMİŞ PLİOMETRİK ANTRENMANIN SPORTİF PERFORMANS PARAMETRELERİNE ETKİSİ

Today, there are various training methods used to increase athletic performance. One of these methods is artificial electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) used as strength maintenance and development training. The objective of the study is to examine the effects of plyometric training applications combined with EMS on sportive performance in basketball players. A total of 20 basketball players between the ages of 15-20 participated in the research. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups: plyometric (PA) and plyometric training combined with EMS (PEMS). At the beginning and end of the study, the participants' height, body weight, vertical jump, 20m sprint, agility, balance and repeated sprint performance measurements were taken. In the findings of the study, there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the PEMS and PA groups, among all sportive performance parameters. However, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in vertical jump, balance, agility, 20m sprint and repeated sprint performances. As a result, it can be said that both plyometric training and EMS training combined with plyometric training are two effective methods that can be used to improve sportive performance.

Investigation of the Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Traditional Training on Strength Gain and Anthropometric Properties in Sedentary Women

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Elektriksel Kas Uyarımı (EMS) antrenmanı ile geleneksel fitness antrenmanı uygulamalarının sedanter kadınlar üzerinde antropometrik ve kuvvet değerleri üzerine olan etkilerinin incelenmesidir. Araştırmaya Osmaniye ilinde yaşayan 20 sedanter kadın (yaş 25.40 ± 1.10) gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcılar EMS ve fitness antrenman grubu olarak iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Verilerin normallik dağılımına Shapiro-Wilk sınaması ile bakılmıştır. Veriler normal dağılım gösterdiğinden 6 hafta uygulanan antrenmanların ön test ve son test antropometrik ve kuvvet karşılaştırmaları için bağımlı gruplar T testi kullanılmıştır. EMS ve fitness grubunun antropometrik değişkenlere (vücut ağırlığı, vücut kütle indeksi, yağ yüzde değerleri ve yağsız vücut kütlesi) göre ön test-son test değerleri arasında istatiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık görülmemiştir (p&amp;gt;0.05). Çevre ölçümlerinde EMS antrenman grubunun ön test son test değerlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık bulunmamıştır (p&amp;gt;0.05). Fitness antrenman grubunda biceps ve biceps kasılı çevre ölçümlerinde fark anlamlı bulunurken karın, kalça ve göğüs çevresinde EMS grubunda olduğu gibi anlamlı farklılık bulunmamıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, EMS ve Fitness grubunun kuvvet ön test- son test değerlerinde anlamlı farklar bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak EMS antrenmanı ve geleneksel fitness antrenmanı sonucu sedanter kadınlarda kuvvet kazanımı sağlanmıştır. Bu bulgudan hareketle sakatlık riskinin daha az olduğu kısa sürede ve kolay uygulanabilen yeni teknoloji EMS antrenmanları geleneksel fitness antrenmanlara ek olarak önerilmektedir.

Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training With and Without Superimposed Voluntary Contraction on Rectus Femoris and Vastus Intermedius Thickness and Knee Extension Strength

Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training With and Without Superimposed Voluntary Contraction on Rectus Femoris and Vastus Intermedius Thickness and Knee Extension Strength

The effect of 6 weeks electrical muscle stimulation training and aerobic exercise on body composition of overweight women: a randomized controlled study

The effect of 6 weeks electrical muscle stimulation training and aerobic exercise on body composition of overweight women: a randomized controlled study

Whole-Body EMS Superimposed Walking and Nordic Walking on a Treadmill-Determination of Exercise Intensity to Conventional Exercise.

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is an increasingly popular training method and has become the focus of research in recent years. New EMS devices offer a wide range of mobile applications for whole-body EMS (WB-EMS) training, e.g., the intensification of dynamic low-intensity endurance exercises through WB-EMS. The present study aimed to determine the differences in exercise intensity between WB-EMS-superimposed and conventional walking (EMS-CW), and CON and WB-EMS-superimposed Nordic walking (WB-EMS-NW) during a treadmill test. Eleven participants (52.0 ± years; 85.9 ± 7.4 kg, 182 ± 6 cm, BMI 25.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2) performed a 10 min treadmill test at a given velocity (6.5 km/h) in four different test situations, walking (W) and Nordic walking (NW) in both conventional and WB-EMS superimposed. Oxygen uptake in absolute (VO2) and relative to body weight (rel. VO2), lactate, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after the test. WB-EMS intensity was adjusted individually according to the feedback of the participant. The descriptive statistics were given in mean ± SD. For the statistical analyses, one-factorial ANOVA for repeated measures and two-factorial ANOVA [factors include EMS, W/NW, and factor combination (EMS*W/NW)] were performed (α = 0.05). Significant effects were found for EMS and W/NW factors for the outcome variables VO2 (EMS: p = 0.006, r = 0.736; W/NW: p < 0.001, r = 0.870), relative VO2 (EMS: p < 0.001, r = 0.850; W/NW: p < 0.001, r = 0.937), and lactate (EMS: p = 0.003, r = 0.771; w/NW: p = 0.003, r = 0.764) and both the factors produced higher results. However, the difference in VO2 and relative VO2 is within the range of biological variability of ± 12%. The factor combination EMS*W/NW is statistically non-significant for all three variables. WB-EMS resulted in the higher RPE values (p = 0.035, r = 0.613), RPE differences for W/NW and EMS*W/NW were not significant. The current study results indicate that WB-EMS influences the parameters of exercise intensity. The impact on exercise intensity and the clinical relevance of WB-EMS-superimposed walking (WB-EMS-W) exercise is questionable because of the marginal differences in the outcome variables.

EFFECTS OF 8-WEEK ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION ON THE MUSCLE CONTRACTILE PROPERTIES IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

The study aimed to determine the effect of 8-week unilateral electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training of leg muscles: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and biceps femoris with the same number of muscle contractions in comparison to controls. Contractile properties were monitored by measuring the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) and the rate of force development in first 50 ms (RFD50) of knee extensors and flexors and tensiomyography of stimulated muscles. In addition, we also investigated the retained effect after 8 weeks without EMS training. Nineteen healthy young female athletes aged 15 to 18 years (average 16.4 ± .9 years) were randomly divided in a control group (CG; N=8) and experimental group (EG; N=11). CG performed maximal unilateral voluntary contractions while the EG performed also EMS training of the same leg by stimulating both vasti muscles and biceps femoris. There were no changes in CG after 8-weeks of maximal unilateral voluntary training; however, EG improved MVC in knee extensors (12.6%; P =.085) and RFD50 (142.1%; P =.049) where RFD50 retained increased also 8 weeks after EMS training (73%; P =.090). Tensiomyography revealed decreased amplitude (13.2%; P=.011) only in EG, representing higher muscle tone after 8-weeks of EMS in comparison to CG. Our findings indicate that EMS training has a positive effect on muscle contractile properties in young female athletes even after comparing to matched controls by the number of contractions.

Effect of early implementation of electrical muscle stimulation to prevent muscle atrophy and weakness in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objective Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, restricted weight bearing and immobilization results in thigh and calf muscle atrophy and weakness. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on prevention of muscle atrophy in patients during the early rehabilitation stage after ACL reconstruction. Methods Twenty patients with acute ACL tears were divided into two groups randomly. The control group (CON group) participated in only the usual rehabilitation program. In addition to this protocol, the electrical muscle stimulation group (EMS group) received EMS training using the wave form of 20 Hz exponential pulse from the 2nd post-operative day to 4 weeks after the surgery. Results Muscle thickness of vastus lateralis and calf increased significantly 4 weeks after surgery in the EMS group, while it decreased significantly in the CON group. The decline of knee extension strength was significantly less in the EMS group than in the CON group at 4 weeks after the surgery, and the EMS group showed greater recovery of knee extension strength at 3 months after surgery. Conclusions EMS implemented during the early rehabilitation stage is effective in maintaining and increasing muscle thickness and strength in the operated limb.

Altered mRNA expression after long‐term soleus electrical stimulation training in humans with paralysis

In humans, spinal cord injury (SCI) induces deleterious changes in skeletal muscle that may be prevented or reversed by electrical stimulation muscle training. The molecular mechanisms underlying muscle stimulation training remain unknown. We studied two unique SCI subjects whose right soleus received >6 years of training (30 minutes/day, 5 days/week). Training preserved torque, fatigue index, contractile speed, and cross-sectional area in the trained leg, but not the untrained leg. Training decreased 10 mRNAs required for fast-twitch contractions and mRNA that encodes for myostatin, an autocrine/paracrine hormone that inhibits muscle growth. Conversely, training increased 69 mRNAs that mediate the slow-twitch, oxidative phenotype, including PGC-1α, a transcriptional coactivator that inhibits muscle atrophy. When we discontinued right soleus training, training-induced effects diminished slowly, with some persisting for >6 months. Training of paralyzed muscle induces localized and long-lasting changes in skeletal muscle mRNA expression that improve muscle mass and function.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation for Chronic Heart Failure: An Alternative Tool for Exercise Training?

Conventional exercise training has been shown conclusively to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and even reduce mortality in chronic heart failure. Unfortunately, not all heart failure patients are suitable for conventional exercise programs for various reasons. The exciting new technique of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) of large groups of muscles has been shown to produce a physiologic response consistent with cardiovascular exercise at mild to moderate intensities by increasing peak oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, ventilatory capacity, and heart rate. Additionally, there is improvement in muscle strength. The handful of small studies that exist of home-based EMS training of leg muscles in heart failure show that EMS produces similar benefits to conventional exercise in improving exercise capacity, making EMS an alternative to aerobic exercise training in those that cannot undertake conventional exercise. The improvement seen in leg muscle strength promises also to improve mobility in this sedentary population.

Comparison of Two Methods of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training of Pelvic Floor Musculature in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

Comparison of Two Methods of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training of Pelvic Floor Musculature in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

Dynamic electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training of the quadriceps femoris

Previous research on muscle strengthening using electrical stimulation has mainly focused on isometric training. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of isokinetic and isotonic electrical muscle stimulation training on the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle group. A quantitative, experimental, comparative, research design, making use of a pre-test, treatment period, and post-test, was used. Subjects were divided into two experimental groups and one control group: Group A (isokinetic NMES group), Group B (isotonic NMES group) and Group C (control group). The non-dominant knee extensors of 24 subjects were assessed for peak torque by means of a Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 0°/s (at 60° of knee flexion), 60, 180, and 240°/s, before and after the experimental treatment period of 10 sessions. An ENDOMED CV-405 electrical muscle stimulator was used to administer the NMES training in Groups A and B. Dependent t-tests and Duncan's Multiple Range Test for Variance revealed that both isotonic and isokinetic electrical stimulation training resulted in significant knee extension torque improvements. Group A showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements of 13 to 21% at the angular velocities tested, while Group B showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements of 11.5, 7.5, and 19.5% at angular velocities of 0, 60, and 180°/s, respectively. Group C also showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of 6%, but only at 0°/s. Thus, isokinetic and isotonic electrical muscle stimulation training was shown to be effective in improving the muscle strength of the quadriceps femoris. Key words: Electrical muscle stimulation, strength training, isokinetic, isometric, peak torque, muscle strength, quadriceps femoris. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 Special Edition: 173-182)

Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation does not alter regional arm adiposity and muscularity

The present study evaluated the effects of an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training protocol claimed to elicit site-specific fat reduction and muscle hypertrophy. The protocol includes 6 weeks (3 sessions/week, 10 contractions/session) of high frequency (2500 Hz) transcutaneous EMS training on upper arm muscle and fat tissue. Two groups of 10 subjects were stimulated either on the dominant biceps brachii (B) or triceps brachii (T). The non-dominant arm served as a control. Post-training measures of upper arm fat and muscle tissue evaluated with girths, skinfolds, and ultrasound measures of fat did not change following EMS training of the treatment and control arms (p > 0.05). Upper arm x-ray measurements to estimate total upper arm volume, muscle plus bone volume, and fat volume also did not change significantly for groups B and T following training (p > 0.05). The results thus indicate no selective upper arm muscle hypertrophy or site-specific fat reduction with high frequency EMS training of healthy muscle. Am. J Hum. Biol. 10:317-326, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.