Whole-body electromyostimulation improved maximum strength and power in sportspeople and athletes compared to no training, though effects were small to moderate and non-significant when compared directly to voluntary exercise.
Whole-body electromyostimulation improved maximum strength and power in sportspeople and athletes compared to no training, though effects were small to moderate and non-significant when compared directly to voluntary exercise.
What they did
A meta-analysis pooled 19 whole-body electromyostimulation groups against 21 controls, covering 18 trials for strength and 8 for power.
What they found
EMS improved maximum strength and power against no training, with small-to-moderate effects — but the advantage vanished when compared directly with voluntary exercise.
What it actually shows
Meta-analysis of 19 WB-EMS groups and 21 controls (18 trials for strength, 8 for power); high heterogeneity for strength (I² 86%); when superimposed on or versus traditional resistance exercise, effects were non-significant; applicability across sport disciplines variable.
Review · Muscles
Where it fits
The honest read: EMS beats doing nothing, not lifting. Heterogeneity for strength was high, so results vary considerably between studies.
The source
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