Welcome to the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest! In this series, we share exciting studies that can spark your curiosity and help you understand the science behind fitness tools and techniques. Today, we’ll talk about a study that looked at how Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Total Resistance Exercises (TRX) helped women improve their body composition and strength. Remember, this blog is for learning—not medical advice.

Research Overview:

Original Title: The Effects of Resistance Training With and Without Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Body Composition of Obese Women
Authors: Taher Afsharnezhad, Seyyedeh Yasamin Soumander
Institution: Yazd University and Shomal University, Iran
Published In: Iranian Journal of Health Sciences (2022)

Who Conducted This Study?

The research was done by scientists at Yazd University and Shomal University in Iran. These universities are well-known in the region for their focus on physical education and sports sciences. The study did not receive outside funding, ensuring that the researchers were independent.

What Was This Research About?

This study looked at how TRX suspension training combined with EMS can help women improve their:

1. Body composition (reducing body fat and improving muscle mass).
2. Muscle strength (getting stronger in exercises like squats and bench presses).

The focus was on women with Class 1 obesity, meaning their body mass index (BMI) was between 30 and 35.

Who Participated?

• 36 women with obesity from Sari City, Iran.
• Ages ranged from 29 to 32.
• The women were divided into three groups:
  1. TRX only.
  2. EMS only.
  3. TRX combined with EMS.

How Was the Study Done?

• The study lasted 8 weeks, with participants exercising 3 days a week.
• TRX Group: Did resistance exercises like squats, lunges, and planks.
• EMS Group: Used a whole-body EMS suit.
• TRX + EMS Group: Combined TRX exercises with the EMS suit.
• Measurements included BMI, body fat, and muscle strength (bench press and leg press).

What Did They Find?

• TRX + EMS Group:

  • BMI reduced by 4.3%.
  • Body fat decreased by 7.2%.
  • Muscle mass increased by 3.6%.
  • Strength improved significantly:
    • Bench press: +21.93%
    • Leg press: +27.4%

• TRX Group:

  • Also showed improvements but less than the TRX + EMS group.

• EMS Group:

  • Had the least improvement in body composition and strength.

Why Could EMS Be Helpful?

EMS sends small electrical pulses to your muscles, making them contract. This can help:

• Activate more muscles during exercise.
• Support strength-building efforts.
• Assist those who find regular exercise challenging.

How This Study Relates to You

If you’re looking for ways to improve your fitness or maintain muscle health, combining EMS with exercise might offer better results than either one alone.

Learn More:

Study Link: Access the Full Paper
http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-820-en.pdf

Why Trust This Source?
This study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other scientists reviewed it to ensure its quality.

About ORIEMS FIT Research Digest

We simplify complex research into easy-to-read blogs to inspire curiosity. Whether you’re 14 or 70, we hope these posts encourage you to explore more about fitness and health.

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