This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series.

In this series, we share real scientific research from respected universities around the world.
We explain it in plain, everyday language, so anyone — whether you are 14 or 70 years old — can understand it.

We do this to:

• Spark curiosity

• Help people learn how to read research

• Encourage you to explore science yourself

👉 At the end of this article, we include a direct link to the original study, so you can:

• Read the full paper

• Download the PDF

• Do your own fact-checking

If you ever don’t like our explanation — you can skip it and go straight to the source.

Who Did This Research and When?

This research was published in 2019 by scientists from Germany.

The researchers worked at:

• The University of Kaiserslautern

• The University of Erlangen-Nürnberg

These universities are known for sports science and human movement research.

The study was:

• Ethically approved

• Peer-reviewed

• Published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Physiology

What Was This Research About?

The researchers wanted to answer a simple question:

Can whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) make core and trunk muscles stronger?

They also asked:

• Does WB-EMS change posture?

• Does stimulation frequency matter?

Who Was Studied?

• 58 healthy adults

• Ages 18 to 40

• No previous EMS experience

• Not physically trained

• No injuries or medical conditions

This matters because the results reflect everyday people, not athletes.

What Is Whole-Body EMS?

Whole-body EMS (WB-EMS) uses:

• A training vest with large electrodes

• Electrical signals sent to many muscle groups at the same time

During the session:

• People move actively

• Muscles contract at the same time

Sessions are short — about 20 minutes.

How Was the Study Done?

Participants were split into three groups:

1. Control group – no training

2. WB-EMS at 20 Hz

3. WB-EMS at 85 Hz

Training details:

• 10 weeks

• 15 sessions total

• About 1–2 sessions per week

• Same exercises for everyone

Researchers measured:

• Core and trunk muscle strength

• Muscle force and torque

• Posture alignment

What Did the Researchers Find?

✅ Trunk and Core Strength Increased

People training with 85 Hz WB-EMS showed clear strength gains.

Measured improvements:

• 15–21% increase in trunk muscle force

• 16–27% increase in trunk muscle torque

These gains were significantly higher than the control group.

✅ Frequency Matters

• 85 Hz stimulation produced stronger results

• 20 Hz stimulation showed smaller changes

This suggests that higher EMS frequencies activate muscles more strongly in this setup.

⚠️ Posture Did Not Change Significantly

Even though muscles became stronger:

• Posture alignment did not change meaningfully

• This shows that muscle strength alone does not automatically change posture

This is an important and honest finding.

What Does This Mean in Simple Terms?

• Whole-body EMS can make core muscles stronger

• Short sessions can still produce measurable muscle changes

• Strength gains do not automatically change posture

• EMS works on muscles, not movement habits or body awareness

Why Could This Matter for EMS Users?

This study helps explain:

• Why people may feel stronger after EMS use

• Why EMS is often used for muscle engagement and conditioning

• Why posture usually needs movement training and awareness, not just muscle activation

Important Clarification

❗ This study:

• Did not study neck pain

• Did not measure pain outcomes

• Did not test medical treatment effects

It focused on muscle strength and posture measurements only.

Study Information

Original Research Title:
The Impact of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Body Posture and Trunk Muscle Strength in Untrained Persons

Published In:
Frontiers in Physiology (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Link to Original Study:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.01020/full

Why this source is trustworthy:

• Peer-reviewed

• Full methods and data published

• Conducted by established European universities

Summary Table – At a Glance

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Did this surprise you?

• That strength improved without posture change?

• That frequency made such a difference?

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Mandatory Disclaimer

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:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer