Effects of Whole-body Electromyostimulation and Dietary Supplements on "Sarcopenic Obesity"

Effects of Whole-body Electromyostimulation and Dietary Supplements on "Sarcopenic Obesity" in Elderly Females Living in the Community

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of whole body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) and/or nutritional on body composition and functional tasks in elderly females with sarcopenic obesity. Seventy-five, non-sportive, independently living women 70 years and older with Sarcopenic Obesity were randomly assigned to either a WB-EMS group ( n=25), a WB-EMS/nutritional supplements (n=25) or a semi-active control group (an=25). The WB-EMS protocol applied one session of 18 min/week of WB-EMS (bipolar, 85 Hz). Nutritional strategy based on a high protein supplement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• community dwelling
• Sarcopenic Obesity

Exclusion Criteria:

• exercising more than 60 min/week
• more than 4 weeks absent during the interventional period,
• injuries (i.e. hip TotalEndoProsthesis (TEP), abdomen/groin hernia) or diseases (i.e. epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia) that prevent WB-EMS intervention
• medication and/or diseases affecting our primary endpoints.