Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation versus High-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Strength: A Randomized Controlled Study

Kemmler W, Teschler M, Weißenfels A, Bebenek M, Froehlich M, Kohl M, von Stengel S (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Book Volume: 2016

DOI: 10.1155/2016/9236809

Abstract

High-intensity (resistance) exercise (HIT) and whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) are both approaches to realize time-efficient favorable changes of body composition and strength. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of WB-EMS compared with the gold standard reference HIT, for improving body composition and muscle strength in middle-aged men. Forty-eight healthy untrained men, 30-50 years old, were randomly allocated to either HIT (2 sessions/week) or a WB-EMS group (3 sessions/2 weeks) that exercised for 16 weeks. HIT was applied as "single-set-to-failure protocol," while WB-EMS was conducted with intermittent stimulation (6 s WB-EMS, 4 s rest; 85 Hz, 350 ms) over 20 minutes. The main outcome parameters were lean body mass (LBM) as determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and maximum dynamic leg-extensor strength (isokinetic leg-press). LBM changes of both groups (HIT 1.25 ± 1.44% versus WB-EMS 0.93 ± 1.15%) were significant (p = .001); however, no significant group differences were detected (p = .395). Leg-extensor strength also increased in both groups (HIT 12.7 ± 14.7%, p = .002, versus WB-EMS 7.3 ± 10.3%, p = .012) with no significant (p = .215) between-group difference. Corresponding changes were also determined for body fat and back-extensor strength. Conclusion. In summary, WB-EMS can be considered as a time-efficient but pricy option to HIT-resistance exercise for people aiming at the improvement of general strength and body composition.

Authors with CRIS profile

Wolfgang Kemmler Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik Marc Teschler Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik Anja Weißenfels Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik Michael Bebenek Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik Simon von Stengel Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Kaiserslautern DE Germany (DE) Hochschule Furtwangen DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Kemmler, W., Teschler, M., Weißenfels, A., Bebenek, M., Froehlich, M., Kohl, M., & von Stengel, S. (2016). Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation versus High-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Strength: A Randomized Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9236809

MLA:

Kemmler, Wolfgang, et al. "Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation versus High-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Strength: A Randomized Controlled Study." Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2016 (2016).

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