Welcome to ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST
Here at Oriems Fit, we break down real scientific research in super simple language — so even if you're 70 years old or just 14, you can understand what the science is really saying.
At the end of every post, you’ll find a link to the original research paper, often with a full PDF. That way, if you love collecting real research or want to double-check our summary, the source is right there.
🧪 RESEARCH NAME:
Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Energy Expenditure in Healthy Adults
AUTHOR:
Miao-Ju Hsu, Shun-Hwa Wei, Ya-Ju Chang
Q&A Summary of the Study
🧑🔬 Who Did This Research and When?
This study was done in 2011 by researchers from Taiwan.
🏫 Which country and research center?
Taiwan — The scientists work at Kaohsiung Medical University, National Yang Ming University, and Chang Gung University. These are respected institutions in East Asia known for healthcare and rehabilitation science.
🏅 How prestigious are they?
Kaohsiung Medical University and Chang Gung University are two of Taiwan’s leading health science universities. Their hospitals are also research hubs for cutting-edge therapy methods.
💰 Who funded this research?
The study was supported by the National Science Council of the Republic of China, Taiwan — a government body funding advanced research.
❓ What Is This Research About?
The researchers wanted to know if electrical stimulation on muscles (EMS) could help burn more calories — even when you’re not doing physical exercise.
👨🔬 Who Was Studied?
40 healthy adults aged 20–63. None of them had any health issues or EMS experience before.
🧪 Which Research Method Did They Use?
They used EMS on muscle areas like the abs, thighs, and glutes. The EMS was applied at 3 different levels:
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E1: Just enough to feel it
-
E2: Just enough to see the muscles move
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E3: As strong as the person could handle comfortably
Each level ran for 10 minutes. They also tracked breathing and oxygen use to measure energy burned.
🔍 WHAT DID THEY FIND?
✅ EMS increased calorie burn even when people were just sitting.
✅ The stronger the EMS intensity, the more calories burned.
✅ Even 10 minutes after EMS stopped, the body still burned more energy than usual.
📊 What Physical Evidence Did They Find?
| EMS Level | Average Calories Burned Per Hour | % Increase from Rest |
|---|---|---|
| At Rest | 65.4 kcal/hr | - |
| E1 | 68.3 kcal/hr | +4.4% |
| E2 | 71.9 kcal/hr | +9.9% |
| E3 | 76.1 kcal/hr | +16.4% |
| Recovery | 68.8 kcal/hr | +5.2% (still higher) |
💡 Even just one hour of EMS use (like sitting and watching TV) increased energy use by up to 16.4%.
🤔 Why Does This Matter?
Because not everyone can run or exercise. Some people:
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Are too tired
-
Have sore joints
-
Can’t move easily
-
Simply don’t like working out
This study shows that EMS might help gently increase how many calories your body uses — without moving at all.
🧠 So What Does This Mean for EMS Users?
👉 If you're using EMS to stay active without heavy workouts, this research supports that your body might be burning more calories with EMS — especially when used at higher but still comfortable settings.
👉 EMS may also help keep calorie-burning going even after the session ends — that means you keep burning energy while resting.
📄 Research Paper Name (Original):
Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Energy Expenditure in Healthy Adults
Simplified Title:
Can EMS Help You Burn Calories While Sitting Still?
Link to Study (Full PDF):
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/11/2/1932
Why this source is trustworthy:
Published in Sensors — an international peer-reviewed journal. Research funded by Taiwan’s national science body and conducted by three respected universities.
💬 What Do You Think?
Have you ever felt warmer or more energized after EMS use?
Do you think this kind of passive activity could work for you or someone you love?
Leave a comment below to share your thoughts.
About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST
This blog post is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST — a series where we take interesting research and explain it in a simple way.
Why? Because we believe you deserve to understand how your body works — and how everyday tools like EMS could play a role in wellness, comfort, or recovery.
Our mission is to inspire curiosity. Once you understand the science, you’re more empowered to make your own choices. Maybe even start your own research journey!
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment.
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