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Background: Whole-body electrical myostimulation (WB-EMS) is a relatively recent training methodology that has
been extraordinarily used in recent years. However, there is a lack of consensus on the effectiveness of WB-EMS in
the situations in which its use has been largely popularized. The objective of this systematic review was to
determine the effects produced by WB-EMS.
Methods: A search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane was performed to identify all the studies
that have applied electrical stimulation in lower and upper limbs simultaneously and that have clearly presented
their protocols for the training and application of the stimulation. The last search was performed on September 9,
2018. Studies written in English or German were included.
Results: A total of 21 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed following the guidelines of the Cochrane
Guide for Systematic Reviews. Nineteen studies analyzed the chronic effects of WB-EMS, and 2 analyzed acute
effects with a total of 505 subjects (310 men and 195 women). In total, 35% were moderately trained, and 65%
were sedentary subjects. Different dependent variables were studied, such as anthropometric parameters, strength
parameters, energy expenditure, psychophysiological parameters and blood parameters. There is a lack of
randomized controlled studies, and the studies included exhibit a moderate to high level of risk of bias.
Conclusions: Given the limited number of available studies on WB-EMS, the scarce amount of scientific evidence
found does not allow definitive conclusions about its effects; therefore, future studies about WB-EMS are necessary.
Active aging, quality of live and intergenerational relationships. Institute for social and territorial development. University of Lleida. Grant INDEST2016. |
