WB-EMS Effects on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Effects of Intensive Muscle Training on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors - a Randomised Controlled Study

From the age of 50 onwards, there is a disproportionate decline in muscle strength, mass and function, which can be prevented or at least delayed by physical training. Unfortunately, many training programmes are very time-consuming and strenuous and are therefore not carried out consistently. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), a technology in which all major muscle groups are stimulated with an adjusted stimulation level, could be a time-effective and joint-friendly alternative.

However, there are some contraindications to the widespread use of this technology, which are particularly common in middle-aged and elderly people. For example, high blood pressure, which affects more than half of men over the age of 50 in Germany, is considered a contraindication for WB-EMS training. However, this assessment is not very reliable; at least, acute WB-EMS application does not lead to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, there are no study results available for long-term WB-EMS application in people with high blood pressure.

The present study particularly investigate whether and to what extent several weeks of WB-EMS training has an effect on resting blood pressure in people with mild blood pressure. Additionally, the effect of WB-EMS on other cardiometabolic risk factors and physical function will be addressed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Grade 1 hypertension: systolic 140 and/or diastolic 90 mmHg
• overweight or obese (body mass index > 25 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• blood pressure-lowering pharmacologic therapy.
• WB-EMS application and regular resistance exercise training
• Conditions and illnesses that preclude intensive physical exertion
• Severe cardiac arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• acute pulmonary embolism
• acute myocarditis
• severe hypertension, e.g. blood pressure > 200 mmHg systolic and/or >110 mmHg diastolic
• Contraindications for bioimpedance analysis (e.g. pacemaker)
• Contraindications for WB-EMS application (e.g. acute infections/fever, epilepsy)