Can EMS Really Boost Muscle Strength? Top Researchers from Singapore, Amsterdam, and Queensland Together Reveal the Truth

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Nov 16, 2024
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Welcome to another edition of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST, where we bring you intriguing new research findings to spark your curiosity and help you learn more about the latest advancements.

Today, we explore an exciting study about Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and its impact on muscle strength gains in healthy adults.

(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.)

Let's break it down in simple language!

Who Did This Research and When?

This research was conducted by a team of experts from several prestigious institutions: Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands, the University of Queensland in Australia, and the University College Dublin in Ireland.

The study was led by Swarup Mukherjee, Jeryn Ruiwen Fok, and Willem van Mechelen. It was published in 2023 in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, which is well-known for its focus on sports and exercise science.

What is This Research Specifically About?

The researchers wanted to see if EMS could help increase muscle strength in healthy adults. EMS is a technology where small electric currents are sent to your muscles to make them contract.

This research investigated how EMS can be used alone or together with regular strength training to help people get stronger.

Who Was This Study Done On?

The study involved 174 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 77. Some of them were already into fitness, while others were just starting out.

Which Research Method Was Used?

This research was a systematic review, meaning it looked at several studies on EMS from 2008 to 2020 to determine what works best.

The team looked at how EMS was applied, what kind of muscle changes it caused, and compared it to traditional strength training.

What Are the Findings?

General Explanation:

The research found that using EMS can indeed lead to significant increases in muscle strength. This means that EMS could be an effective alternative or a good supplement to regular weightlifting.

The study shows that you can use EMS to get stronger, especially if you're short on time or can't access a gym easily.

Specific Data Supporting These Findings:

All ten studies they reviewed reported a significant increase in muscle strength after using EMS.

Here are some specific numbers:

In one study, participants experienced a 25% increase in maximal voluntary contraction after 6 weeks of EMS training.
Another study found that muscle strength in the lower limbs increased by 30% when EMS was combined with voluntary resistance training (VRT) over a period of 7 weeks.
A study involving older adults (ages 60-77) reported a 20% improvement in knee extension strength after using EMS three times a week for 6 weeks.
On average, participants who used EMS for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week saw significant strength improvements ranging from 15% to 40% depending on the muscle group targeted.
In studies combining EMS with regular strength training, the combination group showed 15% greater improvements in strength compared to those who only did regular strength training.

The studies varied in their EMS application methods, such as intensity, frequency, and duration, but the overall trend was clear: EMS consistently led to strength gains, particularly in muscles like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and biceps.

Why Could EMS Be Helpful for Certain Problems?

EMS can help you strengthen your muscles if you don't have a lot of time to exercise or if you have trouble with certain exercises. For example, EMS can be used at home, which is great for people who want to stay strong but find it hard to go to the gym. It's also a good option for older people who need to maintain muscle strength.

How Might This Study Help EMS Device Users?

If you are using an EMS device, this study shows you can use it to help improve your strength, even without lifting weights. Adding EMS to your usual fitness routine could help you see results faster.

It might also help you stay motivated, knowing that it works just as well as some traditional exercises.

Research Paper Original Name: "Electrical Stimulation and Muscle Strength Gains in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review"

Research Paper Name Simplified: "How EMS Can Help You Get Stronger"

Link to Study: Click Here

For more details, check out the original research on the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research's official website.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever tried EMS or thought about using it to help with strength training? What are your experiences or thoughts?

We'd love to hear from you. Do you think EMS could make workouts easier or more effective for you?

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About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

At ORIEMS FIT, we bring you simplified insights from groundbreaking studies to inspire curiosity and help you explore new ways to improve health and fitness. Share this blog with anyone who might benefit from these findings!

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