Quick Overview

If you already train hard and want every edge possible, this 2018 German study is worth knowing. Researchers tested trained young men doing the same 8-week strength program. One group added Whole-Body EMS during exercises. Both groups improved, but the EMS group increased leg extension maximal strength by about 7.7%, compared to 2.1% in the control group. Most other results were similar. This suggests EMS may provide an extra stimulus for certain strength movements, when combined with structured training, recovery, and consistency.
Links to original studies will be always provided at the end of each article

Our Mission

ORIEMS FIT Research Digest exists to make real scientific research simple.

We read published university studies.
We break them down into everyday language.
We explain what they actually found.

This article is for education only.
It is not medical advice.
It is not a treatment recommendation.

What Was This Study About?

This study asked a simple question:

If someone already trains hard, does adding Whole-Body EMS give extra strength benefits?

The research was conducted by scientists from the German Sport University Cologne in Germany.
It was published in 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

The researchers studied Whole-Body EMS (WB-EMS).

This is different from TENS.

• EMS stimulates muscles to contract.

• TENS is mainly used for pain signal modulation.

• This study did not test TENS.

• It focused only on training performance.

Who Was Studied?

The study included:

• 18 healthy male sport students

• Age range: 18–30 years

• All already experienced in strength training

This was not a chronic pain study.
It was a performance study in trained young men.

How Did They Study It?

The study lasted 8 weeks.

Participants trained:

• 2 sessions per week

• 16 total sessions

They were divided into two groups:

Group 1 (WB-EMS group):
Did strength and jump training while wearing Whole-Body EMS.

Group 2 (Control group):
Did the exact same training without EMS.

The exercises included:

• Split squats

• Leg curl

• Leg press

• Jump and sprint drills

EMS settings used in the study:

• Frequency: 85 Hz

• Pulse duration: 350 microseconds

• Intensity: 70% of each person’s maximum tolerable level

• Stimulation only during exercise, not during rest

Researchers measured:

• Maximal leg strength

• Muscle power

• Jump height

• 30-meter sprint performance

They tested:

• Before training

• After 8 weeks

• 2 weeks after training ended

What Did They Find?

Both groups improved strength and power over time.

But there was one clear difference.

Leg Extension Strength

The WB-EMS group improved leg extension maximal strength by:

+7.7%

The control group improved by:

+2.1%

This difference was statistically significant.

That means EMS provided an additional boost for that specific strength measure.

Other Strength and Power Measures

For most other outcomes:

• Improvements were similar in both groups.

• Jump and sprint improvements were limited.

• EMS did not dramatically outperform normal training.

The researchers concluded that WB-EMS can improve strength, but in this trained population it was mostly similar to well-structured training alone.

What Does This Mean If You Are Considering EMS?

This study shows that:

• EMS can produce measurable strength changes.

• It may provide an extra stimulus for certain muscle actions.

• It does not replace proper training.

• It does not automatically improve complex skills like sprinting.

EMS should be seen as a training tool, not a shortcut.

Realistic expectations matter.

What Does This Mean If You Already Use EMS?

Consistency matters more than intensity.

This study used:

• Moderate intensity

• Structured programming

• Adequate rest

• 8 weeks of regular sessions

That is how results were observed.

One session will not change everything.

Progress comes from repeated exposure and recovery.

Also remember:

EMS stimulates muscles.
TENS mainly affects nerve signals for comfort.

They are not the same technology.

Safety Considerations

The participants were healthy and supervised.

If you:

• Have medical conditions

• Have implants like pacemakers

• Have heart or neurological conditions

• Are unsure about safety

You should consult a qualified health professional before using electrical stimulation devices.

Key Takeaway

In trained young men, adding Whole-Body EMS to an 8-week program:

• Improved leg extension strength more than training alone

• Produced similar results in most other measures

• Did not dramatically enhance sprint or jump performance

EMS may support training.

It does not replace discipline, recovery, or structured programming.

Research Summary

Full Study Title:
Effects of an Eight-Week Superimposed Submaximal Dynamic Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Training on Strength and Power Parameters of the Leg Muscles

Authors: Florian Micke, Heinz Kleinöder, Ulrike Dörmann, Nicolas Wirtz, Lars Donath

Year: 2018

Journal: Frontiers in Physiology

Country of Research: Germany

University: German Sport University Cologne

Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial

Participants: 18 healthy trained male sport students

Age Range: 18–30 years

Duration: 8 weeks

Sessions: 2 per week (16 total)

Stimulation Type: Whole-Body EMS

Frequency: 85 Hz

Pulse Duration: 350 microseconds

Intensity: 70% of maximum tolerable

Primary Outcome: Maximal leg strength and power

Key Result:
WB-EMS group improved leg extension strength by +7.7% vs +2.1% in control

Funding: German Federal Institute of Sport Science

Conflicts of Interest: None declared by authors

Limitations:

• Small sample size

• Only young trained males

• Not a clinical population
  

Link to study: 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6290057/pdf/fphys-09-01719.pdf

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Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only.

It is not medical advice.
It is not a diagnosis.
It is not a treatment recommendation.

ORIEMS FIT does not claim to cure, treat, prevent, or reverse any disease.

Results vary between individuals.

Research findings discussed may not apply to all users.

Always consult a qualified health professional before using electrical stimulation devices, especially if you have medical conditions or implanted devices.

ORIEMS FIT is not affiliated with the researchers or institutions mentioned.

Readers are responsible for their own health decisions.

ORIEMS FIT accepts no liability for misuse of products or interpretation of this content.

This content complies with Australian TGA advertising expectations by avoiding therapeutic claims.

ORIEMS FIT Research Digest makes complex research from top scientists and universities easy for anyone to understand—clear, simple, and never medical advice, just trustworthy science.

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