Quick Overview
Scientists ran a randomized controlled trial on 20 moderately trained males, comparing six weeks of Whole body- EMS with traditional lifting.
They measured isometric elbow strength with a handheld dynamometer, muscle activation with sEMG, and fat and lean mass by DXA. Both groups improved, but EMS produced a larger rise in elbow flexor strength (23.5% vs 17%); body composition did not change.
Random assignment, blinded testers, and a registered protocol make the findings credible.
The evidence suggests using EMS can help trained men gain upper-limb strength in short, low-joint-load sessions. Read the full post for protocol details, numbers, and training takeaways.
Whole-Body EMS Beat Regular Lifting on Elbow Strength in Trained Men, Study Finds
Trained men often want stronger arms. They also want sessions that do not eat the whole evening.
A 2022 study asked a simple question. Can whole body EMS help those men build upper-limb strength?
Researchers in Fuzhou, China put that question to a proper test. The lead authors were Yin Qin and Hui Chen. They worked in rehabilitation medicine at the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force. They were also linked to Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University.
The paper ran in Frontiers in Public Health. That is a peer-reviewed international journal. An ethics committee approved the work. The trial was registered as ChiCTR2200060338.
This was a randomized controlled trial. That design is one of the clearer ways to compare two training methods.
Twenty moderately trained males finished the study. Their average age was about 25. Each man already trained 5 to 8 hours a week. None had used electrical muscle stimulation before.
Eleven men used whole body EMS . Nine men did traditional resistance training. Both groups trained three times a week for six weeks. That is 18 sessions.
The EMS group trained for 20 minutes. They used no extra weights. Stimulation ran mainly during the lowering part of each move. Settings were 85 Hz and a 350 µs pulse. The work-rest pattern was 6 seconds on and 4 seconds off. Intensity sat at 80 to 100% of each man’s own tolerance. Effort felt “hard” to “very hard.”
The comparison group lifted at 80 to 100% of one-rep max. They used familiar gym moves. Those included curls, extensions, presses, and squats.
Scientists did not guess the results. They measured them.
Maximum isometric elbow flexor strength came from a handheld dynamometer. So did elbow extensor strength. Surface EMG tracked muscle activation in the biceps and triceps. DXA scans measured lean mass and fat.
After six weeks, both groups were stronger.
The whole body EMS group’s elbow flexor strength rose by 23.49%. The lifting group rose by 17.01%. That gap favoured EMS.
Elbow extensor strength rose by 18.67% with EMS. It rose by 8.16% with regular lifting. Muscle activation also climbed in both groups.
Lean mass and arm fat did not shift in a clear way. In already-trained men of normal weight, the clear win was strength, not a body-recomp miracle.
No serious whole body EMS harm showed up in this protocol. Two men in the lifting group stopped after injuries. Those injuries were not pinned on the written lifting plan.
So what can whole body EMS help with here?
It can help moderately trained men add elbow and arm strength. It can do that in short sessions. It can do that with less external load on the joints than heavy gym sets.
This write-up follows the published paper. It does not sell a device. It is not medical advice. It does not claim whole body EMS treats disease or replaces a clinician.
The bright finding is practical. Under this six-week plan, whole body EMS matched ordinary lifting on most measures. It went further on elbow flexor strength. For busy trained men, that is the useful part.
Featured Product
ORIEMS FIT ULTIMATE KIT 💪 is a 100% Australian award-winning product.
Voted YEAR’S BEST ⭐ for 2024 and 2025.
It is a wide-range targeted muscle stimulator enhanced with EMS technology, designed to support your fitness and relaxation routine. 🌟
Trusted by more than 10,000 happy users with over 450 five-star Google reviews. 😊
Check availability.
Product Disclaimer:
This product is designed only to support fitness and relaxation routines. It is not a medical device and has not been evaluated or registered by the TGA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. It may not be suitable for everyone. Please consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner before using it.
Like this Research Digest? 📚
Share it with your friends 💬👇 https://bit.ly/4gy4oT3
About Our Health Research Digest
We bring you the latest and most important health research papers — simplified and easy to understand.
Each study is broken down into clear, concise summaries and engaging podcasts, with direct links to the original research so you can explore further whenever you like.
We also create content based on your requests. If you’re curious about a specific health topic or would like us to find relevant studies, simplify the findings, and turn them into a podcast, just let us know.
Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help make health research accessible and useful for you. Contact us anytime.
More EMS Research Scientists Are Studying
1. Can EMS reduce fat?
2. Can EMS increase calorie burn while sitting?
3. Can EMS support muscle toning and muscle gains?
4. Can EMS improve athletic training?
5. Can EMS play a role in muscle loss & frailty?
6. Can EMS reduce pain?
7. EMS vs TENS: What are the differences?
8. Can EMS play a role after stroke?
Research Summary
| Detail | What the paper reports |
|---|---|
| Study title | Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation training on upper limb muscles strength and body composition in moderately trained males: A randomized controlled study |
| Original paper | Frontiers in Public Health, DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2022.982062 |
| Authors | Yin Qin, Hui Chen, Xiaoying Liu, Jiwei Wu, and Yinxin Zhang. Qin and Chen contributed equally. |
| Research centres | Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou; Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China |
| Journal and date | Peer-reviewed paper in Frontiers in Public Health, accepted 22 August 2022 and published 9 September 2022 |
| Study type | Randomized controlled single-blind trial. Assessors were blinded. Participants could not be blinded because EMS and weights look different. |
| Oversight | Ethics approval No. 2022-13. Trial registry ChiCTR2200060338. |
| Who took part | 20 moderately trained men finished the study. Mean age 25.15 ± 3.84 years. They already trained 5–8 hours a week and had more than 2 years of exercise experience. |
| Groups | WB-EMS group n = 11. Traditional resistance-training control group n = 9. Twenty-five men were randomized; five dropped out. |
| Training dose | Both groups completed 18 sessions over 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week. |
| EMS sessions | 20 minutes, no extra weights. Current at 85 Hz, 350 µs pulse width, 6 s on / 4 s off. Intensity set at 80–100% of each man’s tolerated current. Effort rated “hard” to “very hard.” EMS was applied mainly during the lowering phase. |
| Control sessions | Same movement pattern with gym loads at 80–100% of 1RM. Arm work included biceps curls and arm extensions. Tempo was 2 s down, 1 s hold, 2 s up. |
| What was measured | Maximal isometric elbow flexor strength and elbow extensor strength with a MicroFET2 dynamometer. Biceps and triceps activation with surface EMG. Lean mass, body fat, arm lean mass, and arm fat mass with DXA. |
| Strength findings | Elbow flexor strength rose 23.49 ± 6.48% with WB-EMS versus 17.01 ± 4.36% with regular lifting. That between-group difference was statistically significant. Elbow extensor strength rose 18.67% versus 8.16%. EMG rose in both groups, with no clear extra EMG advantage for EMS. |
| Body composition and takeaway | Lean mass and fat measures did not differ in a meaningful way between groups. In this sample, WB-EMS matched ordinary lifting on most outcomes and produced a larger gain in elbow flexor strength. No serious EMS adverse events were reported under this protocol. This is exercise research, not a treatment claim. |
Disclaimer
This article is published for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, health advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any kind.
All content on this website, including any studies, research, or information mentioned, is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply or guarantee any specific health outcomes.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected in any way to any researchers, universities, research centres, journals, or institutions referenced in any article. No reference to any study, researcher, or publication should be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation of any products sold or featured on this website.
Our products (and any products featured or linked in this article) are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or manage any disease or medical condition. Individual results may vary significantly. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding effectiveness, safety, or specific outcomes.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product mentioned on this website or making any changes to your health routine, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a pacemaker, or are taking medication.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORIEMS FIT, its directors, employees, authors, affiliates, and agents disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, cost, expense, or injury (whether direct, indirect, consequential, special, or incidental) arising from the use of, or reliance upon, any information in this article or from the purchase or use of any products featured or sold on this website.
© [ORIEMS FIT] – All Rights Reserved.
