The effect of whole-body electromyostimulation on metabolic syndrome in affected adults: A subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial

Mendel L, Kast S, von Stengel S, Kohl M, Roemer F, Uder M, Kemmler W (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 7

Article Number: 1585579

DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1585579

Abstract

Many people with osteoarthritis of the knee suffer from overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic conditions. In the present subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial of the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on knee osteoarthritis in overweight Caucasians, we focus on participants with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Based on previous research, we hypothesized that WB-EMS significantly improves the Metabolic Syndrome Z score (MetS-Z score) compared with non-training controls. Thirty-two of the initial 72 overweight adults (58 ± 6 years, body mass index: 31 ± 4 kg/m2) with knee osteoarthritis, randomly allocated to a 29-week standard WB-EMS application or to a non-exercising control group (CG) and suffering from MetS, were included. The primary outcome was the MetS-Z score, based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Secondary outcomes were MetS components, i.e., waist circumference, mean arterial blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol. Based on the intention-to-treat principle, analysis of covariance determines differences between the groups (i.e., “effects”). In total, three participants were lost to 29-week follow-up. The attendance rate averaged 89% ± 9% in the WB-EMS group. Adverse effects related to the intervention were not observed. WB-EMS (n = 17) induced a non-significant, medium-size effect (p = 0.061; η2 = 0.13) on the MetS-Z score compared with non-exercise CG (n = 15). In addition, no significant effects (p ≥ 0.146) were observed for MetS components. In the present study, we observed a moderate, although non-significant effect on the MetS-Z score. Given that the WB-EMS application was well-tolerated and accepted by the participants, we conclude that this exercise technology may offer (limited) benefits for MetS treatment. Nevertheless, further studies should address this issue with higher statistical power.

Authors with CRIS profile

Leon Mendel Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik (IMP) Stephanie Kast Institute of Radiology Simon von Stengel Institute of Radiology Frank Roemer Institute of Radiology Michael Uder Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie Wolfgang Kemmler Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie

Involved external institutions

Hochschule Furtwangen DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Mendel, L., Kast, S., von Stengel, S., Kohl, M., Roemer, F., Uder, M., & Kemmler, W. (2025). The effect of whole-body electromyostimulation on metabolic syndrome in affected adults: A subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1585579

MLA:

Mendel, Leon, et al. "The effect of whole-body electromyostimulation on metabolic syndrome in affected adults: A subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial." Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 7 (2025).

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