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

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Impacts Physiological Responses During Aerobic Running: A Randomized Trial

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the physiological and metabolic responses to running with whole-body electromyostimulation (wbEMS) compared to running without electromyostimulation (control, CG). Methods: Twenty healthy participants (9 male/11 female, age 42 ±7 years) conducted an incremental step test with respiratory gas analysis until exhaustion. Trials were conducted as wbEMS and CG in a random order. As outcome measures, (A) objective total exhaustion, (B) athletic responses (max. time and velocity) and (C) physiological and metabolic responses (V'O2/ kg, V'E, EE, RER, lactate) were compared. (D) The impact on the skeletal muscle was assessed prior, 48 h & 72 h after trial. Results: During both trials, participants (A) ran until total exhaustion. Nonetheless, (B) time and velocity till exhaustion as well as (C) RER prior to the first lactate threshold and V'E were reduced with wbEMS. All other correlates did not differ significantly between wbEMS and CG. Following 48 h and 72 h after the trial with wbEMS, (D) the impact on the skeletal muscle was 7- to 9-fold higher compared to baseline values. Values differed significantly to those after running without wbEMS. Conclusion: With the additional stimulation during voluntary activation, wbEMS induces earlier fatigue and a shift in energy metabolism toward fat utilization. Even during aerobic endurance tasks, a great impact on the skeletal muscle indicated by the rise in CK could be observed which promotes wbEMS as an alternative training stimulus that is easy-to-apply and effective during endurance training.

Running with whole-body electromyostimulation improves physiological determinants of endurance performance - a randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and metabolic adaptations to an eight-week running intervention with whole-body electromyostimulation (wbEMS) compared to running without wbEMS.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), 59 healthy participants (32 female/ 27 male, 41 ± 7 years, rel.V̇O2max 40.2 ± 7.4 ml/min/kg) ran twice weekly à 20 min for eight weeks either with a wbEMS suit (EG) or without wbEMS (control group, CG). Before and after the intervention, (i) rel.V̇O2max, heart rate and time to exhaustion were recorded with an incremental step test with an incremental rate of 1.20 km/h every 3 min. They were interpreted at aerobic and (indirect) anaerobic lactate thresholds as well as at maximum performance. (ii) Resting metabolic rate (RQ) as well as (iii) body composition (%fat) were assessed.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, V̇O2max was significantly enhanced for both groups (EG ∆13 ± 3%, CG ∆9 ± 3%). Velocity was elevated at lactate thresholds and maximum running speed (EG ∆3 ± 1%, CG ∆2 ± 1%); HRmax was slightly reduced by -1 beat/min. No significant changes were observed for time until exhaustion and lactate. RQ was significantly enhanced following both trainings by + 7%. %fat was reduced for both groups (EG ∆-11 ± 3%, CG ∆-16 ± 5%), without any changes in body mass. Results did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both interventions had a positive impact on aerobic power. The rightward shift of the time-velocity graph points towards improved endurance performance. The effects of wbEMS are comparable to those after high-intensity training and might offer a time-efficient alternative to affect physiological and metabolic effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, ID DRKS00026827, date 10/26/21.

Acute Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Energy Expenditure at Resting and during Uphill Walking in Healthy Young Men

The effects of the different electrical frequencies of whole-body electrical stimulation (WB-EMS) on energy expenditure (EE) and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of different WB-EMS electrical frequencies on EE and the RER during supine resting and uphill walking. A total of 10 healthy and recreationally active men (21.6 ± 3.3 years old) participated in the present study. Participants completed two testing sessions in a randomized order. In each session, a variety of impulse frequencies (1 hertz (Hz), 2 Hz, 4 Hz, 6 Hz, 8 Hz, and 10 Hz) were applied in a randomized order, allowing a 10 min passive recovery between them. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured to calculate EE and the RER. All frequencies increased EE at rest (all p ≤ 0.001), with 4 Hz being the frequency producing the highest increase (Δ = 8.89 ± 1.49 kcal/min), as did 6 Hz (Δ = 8.05 ± 1.52 kcal/min) and 8 Hz (Δ = 7.04 ± 2.16 kcal/min). An increment in the RER at rest was observed with 4 Hz, 6 Hz, 8 Hz and 10 Hz (all p ≤ 0.016), but not with 1 Hz and 2 Hz (p ≥ 0.923). During uphill walking, the frequency that elicited the highest increase in EE was 6 Hz (Δ = 4.87 ± 0.84 kcal/min) compared to the unstimulated condition. None of the impulse frequencies altered the RER during uphill walking. WB-EMS increases EE in healthy young men both during resting and uphill walking.

Profile of Whole Body Electromyostimulation Training Users-A Pilot Study

(1) Introduction: Whole Body Electromyostimulation is a technological and time efficient personal training practiced all over the world. With the increase of practitioners in the last 10 years, the need to study more about practitioners has arisen, so this pilot study aims to trace a user profile of this method through the analysis of socio-demographic data for a better understand of the profile of people looking for this type of training to improve the effectiveness of the intervention and develop programs that are in accordance with the motivation of practitioners. (2) Methods: 270 users from 5 countries answered an online questionnaire with socio-demographic questions. Data were treated using descriptive statistics. Possible differences between sexes and between groups were analyzed by means of non-parametric statistical tests: Mann−Whitney U-test (continuous variables); in addition to studying possible dependence relationships and differences between proportions, using the Chi-square statistic with pairwise z-test using the Bonferroni correction (categorical variables). (3) Results: Middle-aged women are the main user of this type of training. The majority of WB-EMS users do another type of physical activity with significant difference between men and woman (p < 0.05) men are more active than women. Weight loss, health and wellness and muscle mass increase are the main goals of the WB-EMS users. There are significant differences in weight loss and rehabilitation between genders (p < 0.05). Women look much more than men to lose weight and men look more than women to rehabilitation. (4) Conclusions: The user profile is a physically active woman, aged 35−49 years, with normal weight and high educational level, who carries out twice weekly full body electrostimulation training with the goals of weight loss, health and/or wellness and muscle mass gain.