Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
School of Global Sport Studies, Korea University Sejong Campus, Sejong City, Republic of Korea.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Jan 27;102(4):e32765. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032765.
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) activates muscles through electrical currents, resulting in involuntary muscle contractions. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate clinical effects of superimposing EMS on strength training compared with conventional exercise in healthy non-athletic adults.
This study was a randomised, controlled, parallel-group trial conducted at a single centre. Forty-one healthy young volunteers were recruited and randomised into two groups: strengthening with superimposed EMS (S+E) and strengthening (S) groups. All participants underwent the 30 minutes of strength training program, three times a week for 8 weeks, consisting of core muscle exercises. Additionally, the S+E group received EMS during training, which stimulated the bilateral abdominal, gluteus, and hip adductor muscles. As the primary outcome measure, we evaluated the changes in muscle thickness, including the abdominal, gluteal, and hip adductor muscles, using ultrasound. Muscle thickness was measured in both resting and contracted states. For secondary outcomes, physical performance (Functional Movement System score, McGill's core stability test, and hip muscle power) and body composition analysis were evaluated. All assessments were performed at the beginning and end of the intervention.
39 participants (S+E group = 20, S group = 19) completed the study. The clinical characteristics and baseline functional status of each group did not differ significantly between the groups. After completion of the training, the S+E group showed more efficient contraction in most of the evaluated muscles. The resting muscle thickness did not differ significantly between the groups; however, the contracted muscle thickness in the S+E group was higher than that in the S group (p < 0.05). Physical performance and body composition were not significantly different between the two groups. No intervention-related complications were reported during the study.
EMS seems to be a safe and reasonable modality for improving physical fitness in healthy individuals.
电肌肉刺激（EMS）通过电流激活肌肉，导致肌肉不自主收缩。本研究旨在评估在健康非运动员成年人中，与传统运动相比，将 EMS 叠加到力量训练中的即时临床效果。
这是一项在单一中心进行的随机、对照、平行组试验。招募了 41 名健康的年轻志愿者，并将他们随机分为两组：强化叠加 EMS 组（S+E 组）和强化组（S 组）。所有参与者都接受了 30 分钟的力量训练计划，每周 3 次，持续 8 周，包括核心肌肉练习。此外，S+E 组在训练中接受 EMS，刺激双侧腹部、臀肌和髋关节内收肌。作为主要结局测量，我们使用超声评估肌肉厚度的变化，包括腹部、臀肌和髋关节内收肌。在休息和收缩状态下测量肌肉厚度。作为次要结局，评估身体表现（功能性运动系统评分、麦吉尔核心稳定性测试和髋关节肌肉力量）和身体成分分析。所有评估在干预开始和结束时进行。
39 名参与者（S+E 组=20，S 组=19）完成了研究。两组的临床特征和基线功能状态无显著差异。完成训练后，S+E 组在大多数评估的肌肉中表现出更有效的收缩。两组之间的休息肌肉厚度无显著差异；然而，S+E 组的收缩肌肉厚度高于 S 组（p<0.05）。两组的身体表现和身体成分无显著差异。研究期间未报告与干预相关的并发症。
EMS 似乎是一种安全且合理的改善健康个体身体健康的方式。
