Whole-Body EMS: What We Learned About Muscle Recovery and the Immune System

Welcome to another post from the ORIEMS Fit Research Digest series! Every time, we dive into a new, interesting study to help you learn more about different aspects of health and fitness. Today, we are looking at a piece of research that explores how whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) can impact muscle recovery and the immune system. It's an easy read for anyone who wants to understand what happens in our body when we use EMS, without diving too deep into the science.

Who Did This Research and When?

The research we are looking at is called "(Whole-Body) Electromyostimulation, Muscle Damage, and Immune System: A Mini Review," and it was conducted by Marc Teschler and Frank C. Mooren from Germany. They work at the University of Witten/Herdecke, a very well-regarded health science university. The study also involved Klinik Königsfeld, a medical rehabilitation center in Ennepetal, Germany.

These institutions are known for doing serious research in health, rehabilitation, and exercise science. This particular research was published in 2019, and it was funded independently, with no commercial interest involved, which helps make it trustworthy.

Link to the Study: Click here to see the study.

What Is This Research Specifically About?

The researchers wanted to see how WB-EMS affects muscles and the immune system. They looked into how EMS can sometimes cause muscle damage, but also how the body recovers and adapts. They were interested in understanding both the positive effects and the side effects of using EMS over the whole body.

Who Specifically Was This Study Done On?

This study looked at information from other similar studies instead of testing people directly. So, they combined all the information to understand better how EMS affects different people—including athletes and people who are not used to exercise.

What Did They Find?

The researchers found that WB-EMS can be very helpful to improve muscle strength, especially for people who don't exercise much or need rehabilitation. But they also found that it can sometimes cause muscle damage, like what happens after a really tough workout. This damage includes soreness, swelling, and some loss of strength for a short period.

On the positive side, they noticed that after the initial soreness and damage, the body starts to repair itself. This repair is actually a good thing because it makes muscles stronger over time. WB-EMS also affects the immune system by sending special cells to help repair the muscles faster.

Why Could EMS Be Helpful for Certain Problems?

EMS can be really helpful if someone cannot move around a lot, like after an injury or surgery. It can help strengthen muscles without needing a lot of heavy exercise. It is also great for people who want to boost their muscle strength, but it must be used carefully to avoid soreness or injury.

How This Study Might Help EMS Device Users

If you are using an EMS device like ORIEMS Fit, this research shows that it's really important to start slowly. You might feel soreness, but that’s just part of the process. The key takeaway is not to overdo it right away. Build up gradually so that your muscles have time to adapt and get stronger without too much discomfort.

Why Is This Source Trustworthy?

1. Published in a Respected Journal: The study was published in "Frontiers in Physiology," which is a respected and peer-reviewed scientific journal known for its rigorous standards.

2. Conducted by Trusted Researchers: The researchers, Marc Teschler and Frank C. Mooren, are affiliated with the University of Witten/Herdecke and Klinik Königsfeld in Germany—both are well-regarded institutions in the health sciences.

3. Independently Funded: The study was conducted without any commercial sponsorship, ensuring that the findings are unbiased and not influenced by companies trying to promote a product. The study comes from "Frontiers in Physiology," a respected scientific journal. The researchers come from well-known institutions, and they conducted a thorough review of different studies. There were no commercial sponsors, which means the information was not influenced by companies trying to sell a product.

This blog post is part of the ORIEMS Fit Research Digest series, where we share new research to help inspire you to learn more about health and fitness. If you’re interested in more topics like this, keep checking our blog for updates, and maybe start your own research journey!

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. For full details on our disclaimer, visit ORIEMS FIT Research Digest Disclaimer.