Comparison of the Effect of Eight Weeks of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Versus Resistance Training on Oxidative Stress Indicators and Cellular Health Index in Overweight and Obese Women
Comparison of the Effect of Eight Weeks of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Versus Resistance Training on Oxidative Stress Indicators and Cellular Health Index in Overweight and Obese Women
This study aims to compare the effects of eight weeks of resistance training versus electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on oxidative stress indicators and cellular health index in overweight and obese women aged 35-45 years. Forty-two participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: resistance training, EMS, and control. The resistance training group will perform progressive resistance exercises three times per week for eight weeks. The EMS group will receive electrical muscle stimulation on biceps, abdominal, back, and quadriceps muscles three times per week for eight weeks. The control group will receive no intervention. Oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), glutathione, protein carbonyl (PC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) will be measured from blood samples. Cellular health will be assessed using phase angle (PhA) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance will also be evaluated. All measurements will be taken at baseline and 48 hours after the last training session. The primary outcome is change in phase angle. Secondary outcomes include changes in oxidative stress markers and physical performance.
This is a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, parallel-group clinical trial with three arms: resistance training, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and control. Forty-two overweight and obese women (BMI 25-35 kg/m², aged 35-45 years) will be randomly assigned to the three groups (n=14 each). Participants must meet the inclusion criteria including no history of cardiovascular disease, no pregnancy or lactation, no use of medications affecting muscle or fat mass, and no recent lower/upper extremity injuries.
Intervention details:
Resistance training group: 8 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 50 minutes each session. Exercises include upper body, back, abdominal, and lower body movements. Training intensity will progress from 60% of 1RM in week 1 to 85% of 1RM in week 8.
EMS group: 8 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 30 minutes each session. EMS will be applied to biceps brachii, abdominals, back, and quadriceps muscles using frequency of 35-70 Hz, pulse duration 100 μs, and pulse period 50 ms. Electrode size: 150 × 240 mm. Intensity will be progressively increased over the 8 weeks.
Control group: No exercise intervention during the study period.
Outcome measurements:
Primary outcome: Phase angle (PhA) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Inbody770).
Secondary outcomes: Serum levels of SOD, GPX, CAT, glutathione, PC, and TAC measured using ELISA kits. Upper body strength (bench press) and lower body strength (squat) measured via 1RM testing. Upper body endurance (push-up test) and lower body endurance (bodyweight squat test) measured in 60-second tests.
Statistical analysis: Data will be analyzed using ANCOVA with pretest scores as covariates. Correlation between phase angle changes and oxidative stress markers will be assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. All analyses will be performed using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Inclusion Criteria:
Body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m²
Similar menstrual cycle pattern
No pregnancy or lactation
No continuous medication affecting fat or muscle mass (based on health and fitness questionnaire)
No history of cruciate ligament injury or other upper/lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months
No history of heart attack or acute cardiovascular disease
No use of medications (glucocorticoids, beta-blockers, alcohol) or antioxidant supplements that could interfere with study results
Exclusion Criteria:
Absence from more than three consecutive training sessions
Failure to comply with the study protocol
Development of any medical condition during the study period that contraindicates continued participation
m.m.ahmadi2005@gmail.com0985631026917
m.m.ahmadi2005@gmail.com0985631026917