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(Scroll to the end of each post to find a link to the original study, often with full PDFs—perfect for building your research collection.).

In this blog, we explore groundbreaking studies on EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) to uncover how science can inspire better health. 

Each post always includes a link to the original study, often with full PDFs—perfect for your research collection.

Today, we focus on a study by prestigious researchers in Japan that demonstrates how EMS prevents muscle loss in immobilized muscles. Let's dive into the findings.

What’s the Research About?

This study, published in Physiological Research (2024), investigates how EMS prevents muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass) in conditions where movement is restricted, such as injury or illness.

Researchers analyzed how EMS can protect muscle structure at a molecular level by targeting specific proteins linked to muscle breakdown.

Who Conducted the Study?

The research team comes from top institutions in Japan, including Nagasaki University and Seirei Christopher University.

These institutions are highly respected for their contributions to medical and physical therapy sciences.

The study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and supported by ALCARE Co., Ltd., ensuring the research's reliability.

The study was conducted using animal models, specifically rats. To simulate conditions of muscle disuse, the researchers immobilized the rats' hind limbs and applied electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).

This controlled approach allowed them to investigate the physiological effects of EMS in preventing muscle loss due to disuse

Key Findings: Evidence-Based Insights

1. EMS Reduces Muscle Atrophy

In rats with immobilized muscles:

• High-frequency EMS (50 Hz) preserved muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) better than low-frequency EMS or no stimulation.
  • Type I fibers (endurance-focused): CSA was 1,609 µm² for high-frequency EMS, versus 1,295 µm² in untreated rats (24% improvement).
  • Type II fibers (power-focused): CSA was 1,050 µm² for high-frequency EMS, versus 934 µm² in untreated rats (12% improvement).

2. EMS Enhances Key Muscle-Protecting Proteins

• Phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT):

  • High-frequency EMS increased p-AKT levels to 0.79 ± 0.33 compared to 0.39 ± 0.15 in untreated rats, aiding muscle repair.
  • This protein helps stop muscle breakdown by inactivating harmful pathways.

• PGC-1α Protein Expression:

  • Levels rose to 0.33 ± 0.16 in high-frequency EMS, close to normal muscle levels (0.34 ± 0.13).
  • PGC-1α reduces the activity of atrophy-related genes and promotes muscle growth.

3. Suppression of Atrophy-Related Genes

• Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, genes linked to muscle degradation, showed reduced activity:
  • Atrogin-1 levels dropped to 1.85 ± 0.63 in the high-frequency group versus 2.93 ± 1.49 in untreated rats.
  • MuRF-1 levels decreased to 2.01 ± 0.68, compared to 2.70 ± 1.00 in untreated rats.

Why Does This Matter?

If you’re recovering from an injury or illness that limits your mobility, EMS could help preserve your muscle mass.

By maintaining the balance of muscle-protective proteins, high-frequency EMS supports faster recovery and better muscle health.

A Question for You

Have you ever used EMS for recovery? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments!

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying new treatments. For full details, visit ORIEMS FIT Disclaimer.

Link to Study
Original Name: Skeletal Muscle Electrical Stimulation Prevents Progression of Disuse Muscle Atrophy via Forkhead Box O Dynamics Mediated by Phosphorylated Protein Kinase B and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator-1α
Simplified Name: How EMS Fights Muscle Loss: A Deep Dive into Japanese Research
Read the full study here.