Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Jumping, Sprinting and Agility Performance in Sportspeople and Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Püttner M, Kohl M, von Stengel S, Filipovic A, Uder M, Kemmler W (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 11
Article Number: 33
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk11010033
Abstract
Background: Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a training technology that enables the stimulation of all the main muscle groups with dedicated intensity, attracting many sportspeople and athletes of various disciplines. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of WB-EMS on maximum jump, sprint, and agility performance in exercising cohorts. Methods: Systematic literature research of five electronic databases up to March 2025, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) scheme and including interventional trials with at least one WB-EMS and one active or inactive control group that focus on maximum jump, sprint, and agility performance in sportspeople and athletes. Applying a random-effect model that includes the inverse heterogeneity model (IVhet), effects sizes (SMD), and calculates 95% confidence intervals (95%-CIs). Subgroup analyses addressed superimposed WB-EMS application vs. underlying voluntary exercise. Results: Twelve studies with 145 participants in the WB-EMS and 148 participants in the control group were included. Most trials on jumping (10 of 12) and all trials on sprinting and agility performance applied superimposed WB-EMS protocols compared with underlying voluntary exercise. We observed no significant positive effects of WB-EMS on maximum jump (12 studies, SMD: 0.34, 95%-CI: −0.35 to 1.03), sprint (8 studies, SMD: 0.07, 95%-CI: −0.66 to 0.80), and agility performance (5 studies, SMD: −0.11, 95%-CI: −1.28 to 1.06). Heterogeneity between the trial results was considerable (I2 > 80%) in all cases. Conclusions: Superimposed WB-EMS compared to the underlying predominately near-maximum to maximum intensity voluntary exercise provides only limited additional effects on jumping, sprinting, and ability performance.
Authors with CRIS profile
Mona Püttner
Lehrstuhl für Neuronale Mechanik
Simon von Stengel
Institute of Radiology
Michael Uder
Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Püttner, M., Kohl, M., von Stengel, S., Filipovic, A., Uder, M., & Kemmler, W. (2026). Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Jumping, Sprinting and Agility Performance in Sportspeople and Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010033
MLA:
Püttner, Mona, et al. "Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Jumping, Sprinting and Agility Performance in Sportspeople and Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 11.1 (2026).
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