Revised contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Evidence-based German consensus recommendations

von Stengel S, Fröhlich M, Ludwig O, Eifler C, Berger J, Kleinöder H, Micke F, Wegener B, Zinner C, Mooren FC, Teschler M, Filipovic A, Müller S, England K, Vatter J, Authenrieth S, Kohl M, Kemmler W (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 6

Article Number: 1371723

DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1371723

Abstract

Whole-body electromyostimulation has proven to be a highly effective alternative to conventional resistance-type exercise training. However, due to adverse effects in the past, very extensive contraindications have been put in place for the commercial, non-medical WB-EMS market. Considering recent positive innovations e.g., federal regulation, mandatory trainer education, revised guidelines, and new scientific studies on WB-EMS application, we believe that a careful revision of the very restrictive contraindications on WB-EMS is needed. This applies all the more because many cohorts with limited options for conventional exercise have so far been excluded. During a first meeting of an evidence-based consensus process, stakeholders from various backgrounds (e.g., research, education, application) set the priorities for revising the contraindications. We decided to focus on four categories of absolute contraindications: “Arteriosclerosis, arterial circulation disorders”, “Diabetes mellitus” (DM), “Tumor and cancer” (TC), “Neurologic diseases, neuronal disorders, epilepsy”. Based on scientific studies, quality criteria, safety aspects and benefit/risk assessment of the category, DM and TC were moved to the relative contraindication catalogue, while arteriosclerosis/arterial circulation disorders and neurologic diseases/neuronal disorders/epilepsy were still considered as absolute contraindications. While missing evidence suggests maintaining the status of neurologic diseases/neuronal disorders as an absolute contraindication, the risk/benefit-ratio does not support the application of WB-EMS in people with arteriosclerosis/arterial circulation diseases. Despite these very cautious modifications, countries with less restrictive structures for non-medical WB-EMS should consider our approach critically before implementing the present revisions. Considering further the largely increased amount of WB-EMS trials we advice regular updates of the present contraindication list.

Authors with CRIS profile

Simon von Stengel Institute of Radiology Wolfgang Kemmler Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie

Involved external institutions

Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) DE Germany (DE) Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement GmbH DE Germany (DE) Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln DE Germany (DE) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE) Hessische Hochschule für Polizei und Verwaltung DE Germany (DE) Universität Witten/Herdecke DE Germany (DE) GluckerKolleg DE Germany (DE) Sport-Club Paderborn 07 e.V. DE Germany (DE) Hochschule Furtwangen DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

von Stengel, S., Fröhlich, M., Ludwig, O., Eifler, C., Berger, J., Kleinöder, H.,... Kemmler, W. (2024). Revised contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Evidence-based German consensus recommendations. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1371723

MLA:

von Stengel, Simon, et al. "Revised contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Evidence-based German consensus recommendations." Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 6 (2024).

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