Welcome to another exciting edition of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, where we uncover fascinating studies to ignite your curiosity and inspire self-learning.

Today, we bring you a groundbreaking study from France that explores how Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), combined with gymnastics training, can significantly enhance strength and jumping ability in young gymnasts.

(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.)

Research Article Name:

Effects of Combined Electromyostimulation and Gymnastics Training in Prepubertal Girls

Authors: Gaëlle Deley, Carole Cometti, Anaïs Fatnassi, Christos Paizis, and Nicolas Babault.

Who Conducted This Research and When?

This study was carried out in 2011 by researchers from the Performance Expertise Center “Gilles Cometti,” Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Burgundy, France.

Known for its strong focus on sports and health sciences, the university has a global reputation for innovative research in these fields.

What Was This Study About?

The researchers wanted to test if EMS, when added to regular gymnastics training, could boost:

1. Muscle strength, particularly in the knee extensors.
2. Jumping performance, including specific gymnastics moves.

Who Was Involved?

The study focused on 16 prepubertal girls, all competitive gymnasts aged around 12 years.

These athletes already trained for 20–25 hours per week in gymnastics. They were split into two groups:

• EMS Group: Received EMS during training.
• Control Group: Continued regular gymnastics training without EMS.

What Methods Were Used?

The EMS program lasted for 6 weeks:

• For the first 3 weeks: 20-minute EMS sessions, three times a week.
• For the next 3 weeks: One EMS session per week.

EMS targeted the knee extensor muscles and used currents with a frequency of 75 Hz. Training compliance was 100%, and no discomfort was reported.

What Did They Find?

1. EMS Increased Strength Significantly:

• Muscle strength improved by up to 40.2% in just 3 weeks and was maintained at 6 weeks.

2. Improved Jumping Performance:

• After 3 weeks, squat jump (SJ) height increased by 38.8%, and reactivity in consecutive jumps improved by 25.9%.
• At 6 weeks, a more complex counter-movement jump (CMJ) also showed a 10.1% improvement.
• These gains were maintained even 1 month after stopping EMS training.

3. Enhanced Specific Gymnastics Jumps:

• The vertical jump after a handstand improved significantly, showing the benefits of EMS in dynamic movements.

Why Is This Important?

For young gymnasts, EMS can:

1. Save time compared to traditional strength training.
2. Prevent lower back strain from heavy weightlifting.
3. Improve explosive power needed for gymnastics skills.

How Can EMS Help You?

If you're using an EMS device like ORIEMS FIT, here’s how this research can apply to your training:

• Combine EMS with your regular workouts to amplify strength and performance.
• Use EMS for targeted muscle training, reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
• Enjoy long-lasting benefits even after a short EMS program.

Want to Learn More?

Access the original research here:
Effects of Combined Electromyostimulation and Gymnastics Training in Prepubertal Girls

What Do You Think?

Would you use EMS to improve your workouts?
Have you tried EMS before, and what was your experience?
Let us know in the comments! Your insights could inspire others.

Join the Conversation

This post is part of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series, dedicated to sharing new, thought-provoking research. We encourage you to share this blog with friends, family, or anyone who might benefit from this knowledge. Let’s inspire a passion for self-learning together!

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