Quick Overview
ORIEMS FIT Research Digest
At ORIEMS FIT, our Research Digest has one purpose:
To translate real university research into simple, clear language.
We review published scientific studies and explain:
• What was tested
• How it was tested
• What was measured
• What was actually found
• What it realistically means for you
This article is for educational purposes only.
It is not medical advice.
It does not diagnose or treat any condition.
It does not promise results.
It simply explains what a published strength study observed.
What Was This Study Trying to Answer?
Many people ask:
Can EMS make me stronger?
Can it improve explosive power?
Does it help if I already lift weights?
This study looked at one specific question:
Does adding EMS to resistance training improve strength and vertical jump performance more than resistance training alone?
It did not study pain relief.
It did not study injury treatment.
It did not study fat loss.
It did not study cardio endurance.
It studied strength and explosive power.
Who Conducted the Study?
The study was conducted by:
Darryn S. Willoughby and Steve Simpson.
It was published in 1998 in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, a peer-reviewed sports science journal.
This type of journal focuses on athletic performance research.
Who Was Studied?
• 20 female college track and field athletes
• Healthy
• Already trained
This is important.
The results apply to trained young athletes in a structured program.
They may not apply to:
• Beginners
• Older adults
• People with chronic health conditions
What Type of Electrical Stimulation Was Used?
The study used EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation).
EMS causes visible muscle contractions through electrical impulses.
This is different from TENS:
• EMS → designed for muscle contraction and training stimulus
• TENS → designed mainly for pain signal modulation
This study examined muscle performance, not pain relief.
How Was the Study Designed?
Participants were randomly assigned into four groups:
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Control (no training, no EMS)
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Resistance training only
-
EMS only
-
Resistance training + EMS
The study lasted 6 weeks.
Training frequency was 3 times per week.
Resistance Training Protocol
• 85% of one-rep max
• 3 sets
• 8–10 repetitions
• Knee extension exercises
EMS Protocol
EMS was applied to stimulate the working muscles during sessions.
What Did They Measure?
Before and after the 6 weeks, researchers measured:
• Knee extensor strength (1RM)
• Vertical jump height
These are objective performance tests.
What Did They Find?
All training groups improved compared to control.
But the key finding was:
The resistance training + EMS group improved more than:
• Resistance training alone
• EMS alone
Improvements were observed in:
• Measured strength
• Measured vertical jump height
The differences were statistically significant.
In simple terms:
Adding EMS was associated with greater improvements in strength and explosive power in this group of trained athletes over 6 weeks.
What This Study Does NOT Prove
It does not prove:
• That EMS replaces resistance training
• That EMS improves endurance capacity
• That EMS causes fat loss
• That EMS treats injuries
• That EMS works the same for all populations
• That results continue long term
It only supports what it measured.
Why Might EMS Enhance Strength When Combined With Training?
A simple explanation:
Muscle strength is not only about muscle size.
It is also about how well your nervous system activates muscle fibers.
EMS creates additional muscle contractions.
When combined with lifting, this may increase neuromuscular activation.
That can create a stronger training stimulus.
But this is a performance explanation, not a medical claim.
What Does This Mean for Someone Considering EMS?
1. EMS Is a Supplement, Not a Replacement
The best results occurred when EMS was combined with resistance training.
EMS alone did not outperform weight training.
2. Consistency Matters
The program lasted 6 weeks with 3 sessions per week.
Strength adaptations take time.
3. Safety First
You should consult a qualified health professional before using EMS if you:
• Have a pacemaker or implanted device
• Have epilepsy
• Are pregnant
• Have serious heart conditions
• Have recent surgery
• Have unexplained swelling or severe pain
Always follow manufacturer guidelines.
What Does This Mean for Someone Already Using EMS?
If you already own an EMS device:
• Use it consistently
• Pair it with structured training
• Progress intensity gradually
• Focus on correct placement
Early changes may feel like:
• Better muscle connection
• Stronger contraction awareness
• Improved stability
These are training-related responses.
Results vary between individuals.
Final Takeaway
This study suggests that adding EMS to resistance training was associated with greater improvements in strength and explosive power compared to either method alone — in trained female athletes over 6 weeks.
It supports the idea that EMS may enhance a structured resistance training program.
It does not prove that EMS replaces lifting.
It does not prove medical benefits.
It supports EMS as a potential performance tool when used appropriately.
🔵 Research Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Study Title | Supplemental EMS and Dynamic Weight Training: Effects on Knee Extensor Strength and Vertical Jump of Female College Track & Field Athletes |
| Authors | Darryn S. Willoughby; Steve Simpson |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Journal | Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research |
| Publisher | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (Wolters Kluwer) |
| Country of Journal | United States |
| Country of Research | United States |
| University / Research Centre | University affiliation not specified in accessible summary |
| DOI | 10.1519/00124278-199808000-00001 |
| Direct Study Link | https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/pages/default.aspx |
| Study Type | Randomized controlled intervention study |
| Number of Participants | 20 |
| Population | Female college track & field athletes |
| Age Range | Not specified in abstract |
| Gender | 100% female |
| Health Condition | Healthy trained athletes |
| Type of Stimulation | EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) |
| Stimulation Parameters | Not specified in abstract |
| Intervention Duration | 6 weeks |
| Frequency | 3 sessions per week |
| Control Group | No EMS, no weight training |
| Comparison Groups | Weight training only; EMS only; Weight training + EMS |
| Primary Outcomes | Knee extensor 1RM strength; Vertical jump height |
| Secondary Outcomes | None specified |
| Statistical Significance | Significant improvements reported (p < 0.05) |
| Funding Source | Not specified |
| Conflict of Interest | Not specified |
| Key Limitations | Small sample size; short duration; athlete-only population; endurance not measured |
| Neutral Research Conclusion | Combining EMS with weight training was associated with greater improvements in measured strength and vertical jump compared to either intervention alone in this population |
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational purposes only.
It does not constitute medical advice.
It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified health professional.
Individual results vary.
Research findings may not apply to all populations.
Use of EMS devices should follow manufacturer instructions.
Consult a qualified professional before use if you have any medical condition.
ORIEMS FIT does not claim therapeutic outcomes from EMS devices.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, ORIEMS FIT disclaims liability for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from use or misuse of products or interpretation of this content.
Readers are responsible for their own health decisions.
This content is written to comply with Australian therapeutic advertising standards and avoids medical claims.
ORIEMS FIT Research Digest makes complex research from top scientists and universities easy for anyone to understand—clear, simple, and never medical advice, just trustworthy science.
Interested in a certain topic? Let us know! We'll help you find solid studies and turn them into easy-to-read summaries, always linking to the original source so you can explore further or verify it yourself.
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🔍 How We Source Research Studies
At ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, every study we feature comes directly from peer-reviewed scientific journals, not social media or secondary websites.
Here’s how the process works:
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Global Database Access
We search through respected scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, MDPI, Frontiers, and Google Scholar — including university-hosted repositories. -
Peer-Reviewed Journals Only
Each paper we select must come from recognized academic journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed, ensuring the research has passed expert review. -
Verification and Citation
Every article is read in full — not just the abstract — and we verify:-
the authors’ institutions (universities, hospitals, or research institutes),
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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. -
Continuous Updates
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.
🧠 Our Mission
To make cutting-edge science understandable for everyone — without losing the facts or exaggerating the claims.
