Welcome to another post from the Oriems Fit Research Digest Series, where we uncover the latest in EMS research to inspire curiosity and help you explore how this technology fits into your life.

Today, we dive into research from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, a respected institution known for advancing sports science. This study explores how electrical stimulation impacts muscle activation and discomfort levels, focusing on the quadriceps, the large muscle at the front of your thigh.

Why Did They Study This?

The researchers wanted to understand how different levels of electrical stimulation affect how much of the quadriceps muscle can be activated during a hard contraction. They also looked at how comfortable (or uncomfortable) this process felt for the participants.

Who Participated in This Study?

• Participants: 10 young and healthy men, aged about 24 years.
• What they did: The participants performed exercises involving strong muscle contractions while receiving electrical stimulation.

What Did They Find?

The researchers tested two types of electrical stimulation:

1. Paired Stimuli: Two electrical pulses.
2. Triple Stimuli: Three electrical pulses.

Key Findings:

• Adding a third pulse (triple stimuli) increased muscle activation slightly better than two pulses. However, the improvement wasn’t very big.
• People felt more pain with three pulses than with two. On a discomfort scale of 1 to 100:
  • Two pulses scored 61 (moderate discomfort).
  • Three pulses scored 77 (high discomfort).

Why This Matters for EMS Users

If you’re using EMS devices like Oriems Fit for pain relief or strengthening your muscles:

• Better activation: EMS can help activate more of your muscle, which may be useful in certain exercises.
• Comfort matters: Using too much stimulation might not add much benefit and could make the experience less enjoyable.

This study suggests balancing stimulation levels for effective results without unnecessary discomfort.

What Makes This Research Trustworthy?

• University of Ljubljana: A respected institution in sports science.
• Rigorous Methods: The study followed strict protocols and tested multiple conditions.
• Funding: Supported by the Slovenian Research Agency, a credible source of funding.

You can read the full study here: Study Link 

Oriems Fit Research Digest: Your Window to Science

At Oriems Fit, we bring you trustworthy and inspiring research so you can understand EMS technology better. We encourage you to explore these findings and even dive into your own research journey!

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 our disclaimer: Full Disclaimer