This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series. In this series, we regularly share interesting and credible research papers from universities and medical centers around the world. Our goal is simple: inspire curiosity and help readers learn how science studies the human body. We explain research in plain language.
If you enjoy deeper reading, links to the original study are always provided at the end so you can explore, fact-check, or download the full paper yourself.
Who Did This Research and When?
Who were the researchers?
This research was led by Dr. Alexander P. J. Houdijk and colleagues.
Where was it done?
The study was conducted in The Netherlands, involving:
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Northwest Clinics Alkmaar
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General medical practices in Alkmaar and Egmond aan Zee
These are real medical and clinical research institutions, not private companies.
When was it published?
The study was published in 2022.
Who funded the research?
The authors reported no direct commercial funding for this study.
What Is This Research About?
This study asked a very specific question:
When muscles are activated using EMS, does the body lose deep belly fat first — or does overall weight drop more?
Instead of focusing only on body weight or waist size, the researchers focused on visceral fat.
Visceral fat is the fat stored deep inside the abdomen, around the organs.
It is very different from fat you can pinch under the skin.
Who Was Studied?
The study involved 75 older adults, including:
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Healthy men
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Healthy women
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Men with type 2 diabetes
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Women with type 2 diabetes
All participants were:
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Older adults
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Not on weight-loss diets
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Asked to keep their usual lifestyle
Which Research Method Was Used?
Participants completed:
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Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
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20 minutes per session
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2 sessions per week
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For 4 months
Muscle activation was done using whole-body EMS suits, activating multiple muscle groups at once.
Body composition was measured using DEXA scans, which can:
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Measure total body fat
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Measure lean mass
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Measure visceral fat directly
This is much more precise than a scale or tape measure.
What Did the Researchers Find?
1. Visceral fat dropped more than body weight
In healthy men and women:
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Visceral fat dropped by about 16–17%
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Total body weight dropped by only 2–3%
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Total fat mass dropped less than visceral fat
This means deep belly fat reduced first, even when body weight barely changed.
2. The effect was very different in people with diabetes
In men with type 2 diabetes:
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Visceral fat dropped by about 7%
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This was much smaller than in healthy people
In women with type 2 diabetes:
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No measurable visceral fat reduction
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Body weight and fat mass also barely changed
3. Muscle mass did not increase
Across all groups:
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Lean body mass stayed the same
So the visceral fat loss happened without muscle growth.
What Do These Findings Mean in Simple Language?
This research suggests:
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The body may reduce deep belly fat before showing weight loss
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EMS-based muscle activation seems to target visceral fat more than the scale
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In some people, especially those with metabolic conditions, this response is much weaker or absent
It also shows why:
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Some people see health changes without visible weight loss
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Others feel frustrated when the same method works for someone else but not for them
Why Could EMS Be Helpful for Some People?
EMS activates muscles without joint impact and without traditional exercise movement.
This may be helpful for:
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People with limited mobility
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Older adults
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People who struggle with conventional workouts
This study suggests EMS can influence how the body handles deep fat, not just surface changes.
How Might This Help EMS Users?
This research helps users understand that:
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Progress may happen inside the body before it shows outside
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Weight alone does not tell the full story
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Different bodies respond differently to the same stimulus
Learning this can help set realistic expectations and reduce frustration.
Study Information
Original Research Paper Title:
Visceral fat loss by whole-body electromyostimulation is attenuated in male and absent in female older non-insulin-dependent diabetes patients
Simplified Title:
Does EMS Reduce Deep Belly Fat More Than Body Weight?
Where Was It Published?
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (2022) — a peer-reviewed medical journal published by Wiley.
Why Is This Source Trustworthy?
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Peer-reviewed
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Published in a medical journal
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Conducted by hospital-based researchers
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Uses validated measurement tools (DEXA)
Link to original study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36225127/
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Summary Table – Study at a Glance
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands |
| Participants | 75 older adults |
| EMS Duration | 20 min × 2/week × 4 months |
| Measurement | DEXA scan |
| Main Finding | Visceral fat reduced more than body weight |
| Strongest Effect | Healthy men and women |
| Weakest Effect | Women with type 2 diabetes |
Join the Discussion
Did you expect deep belly fat to change before body weight?
Leave a comment and share what surprised you most.
Mandatory Disclaimer
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, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer
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Here’s how the process works:
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the publication year,
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and the journal’s credibility.
We always include journal names, volume numbers, and DOI or reference links at the end of every digest.
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Simplified, Not Altered
We rewrite the findings in simple, clear language — especially for readers aged 14 to 80 — but the data, results, and scientific integrity remain untouched. -
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Our library grows weekly with new papers from Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America, highlighting only verified studies on EMS, FES, and natural healing mechanisms.
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