AUTHOR=Qin Yin , Chen Hui , Liu Xiaoying , Wu Jiwei , Zhang Yinxin 

TITLE=Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation training on upper limb muscles strength and body composition in moderately trained males: A randomized controlled study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.982062

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.982062

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<p>Resistance training has been known to have a positive effect on muscle performance in exercisers. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is advertised as a smooth, time-efficient, and highly individualized resistance training technology. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of WB-EMS training on maximum isometric elbow muscle strength and body composition in moderately trained males in comparison to traditional resistance training. The study was a randomized controlled single-blind trial. Twenty, moderately trained, male participants (25.15 ± 3.84, years) were randomly assigned to the following groups: a WB-EMS training group (<italic>n</italic> = 11) and a traditional resistance training group (the control group [CG]: <italic>n</italic> = 9). Both training intervention programs consisted of 18 training sessions for six consecutive weeks. All subjects performed dynamic movements with the WB-EMS or external weights (CG). The primary outcome variables included maximum isometric elbow flexor strength (MIEFS), maximum isometric elbow extensor strength (MIEES) and surface electromyography amplitude (sEMG<sub>RMS</sub>). Secondary outcomes involved lean body mass, body fat content, arm fat mass, and arm lean mass. ANOVAs, Friedman test and <italic>post hoc t</italic>-tests were used (<italic>P</italic> = 0.05) to analyze the variables development after the 6-week intervention between the groups. Significant time × group interactions for MIEFS (η<sup>2</sup> = 0.296, <italic>P</italic><sub><italic>Bonferroni</italic></sub> = 0.013) were observed, the increase in the WB-EMS group were significantly superior to the CG [23.49 ± 6.48% vs. 17.01 ± 4.36%; MD (95% CI) = 6.48 (1.16, 11.80); <italic>d</italic> = 1.173, <italic>P</italic> = 0.020]. There were no significant differences were observed between interventions regarding MIEES, sEMG<sub>RMS</sub> and body composition. These findings indicate that in moderately trained males the effects of WB-EMS were similar to a traditional resistance training, with the only exception of a significantly greater increase in elbow flexor strength. WB-EMS can be considered as an effective exercise addition for moderately trained males.</p>