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EMS training to relieve back pain
Study 1 – University of Bayreuth (2002)
Research by W.-U. Boeckh-Behrens, N. Grützmacher & J. Sebelefsky
Modern work and lifestyle demands have led to a sharp rise in chronic back pain. As people search for practical, effective solutions, Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has become increasingly popular in both fitness and rehabilitation settings. EMS was originally used in clinical environments to support injury recovery and relieve pain, but early 2000s research helped broaden its application. One of the key studies came from the University of Bayreuth in 2002, which investigated how EMS could support people struggling with back pain.
Study Purpose & Method
The researchers evaluated whether full-body EMS could reduce back pain and improve overall well-being.
A total of 49 participants (31 women and 18 men, average age 47), all experiencing back pain, took part. Each person completed EMS training sessions over five weeks, with assessments done before and after the program.
Key Findings
The study produced impressive results:
- 88.7% of participants experienced a noticeable reduction in back pain.
- Both the frequency and severity of pain dropped significantly over the training period.
- 75.5% reported improvements in mood, while 69.4% felt more energised.
- Among women, 85.7% felt more stable through their core and 75.5% felt more relaxed after training.
Conclusion
The researchers concluded that Whole-Body EMS is a highly effective way to manage and reduce back pain.
EMS works by stimulating major muscle groups — including deep stabilising muscles that are often hard to target with traditional exercise. Beyond reducing pain, participants also reported improvements in energy, mood, and general well-being.
In short, EMS offers a time-efficient, highly effective approach to improving back health and overall quality of life.
Study 2 – Weissenfels et al. (2018)
Chronic lower back pain is extremely common, yet many people avoid exercise out of fear of making the pain worse — or simply because they don’t have the time. A 2018 study by Weissenfels and colleagues explored whether a single 20-minute EMS session per week could make a measurable difference.
Study Purpose & Method
The goal was to test whether 12 weeks of Whole-Body EMS could reduce back pain, decrease pain frequency, and improve core strength.
The study included 30 adults aged 40–70 with chronic lower back pain. They were divided into two groups:
- EMS Group: 1×20-minute EMS session weekly
- Control Group: No exercise; participants continued their normal daily routines
Key Findings
The EMS group showed clear improvements compared to the control group:
Pain levels dropped significantly, with no improvement seen in the non-training group.
Participants experienced fewer painful episodes throughout the week.
Trunk extensor strength (lower-back muscle strength) increased by an average of 15% ±19%, while the control group showed no change.
Conclusion
Whole-Body EMS proved to be a low-impact, time-saving and very effective method for reducing chronic lower back pain. The training also strengthened the core muscles responsible for stabilising the spine, helping prevent future injuries and further pain.
Treating urinary incontinence with EMS
Based on research conducted by BOECKH-BEHRENS W.-U./SCHÄFFER, G., unpublished thesis, University of Bayreuth, 2002.
Objective
The study aimed to assess the effects of EMS training on urinary incontinence.
Methodology
17 people with an average age of 47 were tested (15 female, 2 male) as they suffered from a mild or medium level of urinary incontinence.
Participants trained for 45 minutes, 2x per week for a total of 10 sessions. They began with a 10 to 15-minute-long familiarisation phase to adjust for the individual’s pulse intensity, followed by a 25-minute long training session, during which different static exercise positions were taken up by the participants. There was a five-minute-long relaxation period at the end of the training session.
Results
23% of the test persons were free of symptoms, 24% noticed a lessening of their discomfort and 36% of the participants felt no change in condition. These results are on par with the success rate reached by special localised electrical muscle stimulation therapies (compare Eriksen 1987, Sebastio 2000, Salinas Casado 1990, Meyer 2001).
Conclusion
Full body EMS training is an effective training that achieves therapeutic effects for the relief of discomforts caused by incontinence. It is also a preventive training that builds muscles, enhances body physique, improves mood, and increases vitality, body stability and overall performance.
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EMS training for cardiac patients
Based on research from the Cardiology Clinic Bad Oeynhausen (Fritzsche et al., 2010)
Objective
It’s well established that moderate endurance exercise can help manage chronic cardiac insufficiency (CHI) as part of secondary prevention. Unfortunately, this type of ongoing training is difficult for many heart patients to maintain. Only a small portion — usually younger, highly motivated individuals — stick to the traditional programmes long-term.
This is where Whole-Body EMS shows promise. Early clinical experiences suggest that EMS may offer surprising benefits for cardiac patients, particularly regarding symptoms linked to neurohumoral regulation, inflammation, and skeletal muscle degeneration associated with CHI.
Methodology
A group of 15 individuals diagnosed with chronic cardiac insufficiency participated in a 6-month EMS training programme. Using EMS devices, each patient selected the intensity based on their personal comfort, aiming for a level that felt like an 8 out of 10 in terms of muscle contraction.
To track changes, assessments were carried out before training, after 3 months, and again at the end of the 6-month period. Testing included:
- Spiroergometry to measure oxygen uptake
- Electrocardiography (EKG)
- Echocardiograms
- Metabolic markers, including creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Body composition analysis, measuring fat and muscle via impedance scale
Results
The outcomes were remarkably positive:
- Oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold increased by up to 96%, indicating major improvements in cardiovascular performance.
- Diastolic blood pressure dropped significantly, an important marker for heart health.
- Muscle mass increased by as much as 14%, while total body weight stayed stable — a strong indicator of improved body composition.
- Every patient reported feeling a meaningful improvement in their overall physical capacity and daily performance.
Conclusion
This study was the first to clearly demonstrate the potential role of EMS training in supporting patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency. The improvements in cardiovascular capability, muscle strength, and metabolic efficiency exceeded what is typically achieved through conventional endurance-based rehabilitation for CHI patients.
These findings suggest that EMS could become a powerful therapeutic tool for managing chronic heart insufficiency, offering a time-efficient, low-impact alternative for patients who struggle with traditional exercise programmes.
EMS Training as a Powerful Alternative for Older Adults
Based on research by Wolfgang Kemmler & Simon von Stengel (2010–2012)
It’s widely understood, and well supported by decades of research, that staying active is the best defence against age-related muscle loss and declining physical function. But for many older adults, traditional resistance training can feel intimidating, uncomfortable, or physically difficult to perform. Factors such as mobility limitations, low motivation, joint discomfort, or lack of time often prevent consistent participation in conventional training programmes.
Whole-Body EMS (Electro Muscle Stimulation) presents a promising solution. Kemmler and von Stengel, leading researchers at the Institute of Medical Physics in Germany, explored whether EMS could serve as an effective and accessible training method for older populations.
Study 1: Postmenopausal Women (Average Age 65)
In their first study, the researchers worked with 30 postmenopausal women, all around age 65 and previously involved in high-intensity resistance training. Over 14 weeks, these participants completed 20-minute EMS sessions, and the results were overwhelmingly positive:
- Body fat decreased
- Strength increased
- Power output improved
Even among women already exposed to traditional training, the switch to EMS produced meaningful improvements in a short time frame.
Study 2: Untrained Older Men (Ages 65–75)
To confirm and expand their findings, Kemmler and von Stengel conducted a second study with 28 untrained men aged 65–75. They measured physical abilities and body composition before and after 14 weeks of EMS training. Once again, the results were impressive:
- Muscle mass increased
- Body fat decreased
- Waist circumference reduced
- Strength increased
- Explosive power improved
- Aerobic fitness increased
For men who had no recent training background, the benefits were even more striking.
Overall Findings
Across both studies, Whole-Body EMS proved to be a safe, effective and accessible training method for adults over 60. It allowed participants to strengthen their muscles, improve body composition, and boost physical performance — without the strain and risks associated with heavy resistance exercises.
The combined results showed:
- Better muscle mass
- Reduced fat and waist measurements
- Increased strength, power, and aerobic capacity
The researchers highlighted how surprising these changes were given the relatively short duration of the training programmes, noting that traditional exercise studies rarely show such substantial improvements in such a short time.
Conclusion
Kemmler and von Stengel concluded that EMS is a highly effective option for older adults who want to stay strong, mobile, and healthy — even if traditional strength training is not suitable or appealing. Their findings support the use of EMS as a safe and time-efficient method to improve body composition and physical capability across older age groups.
The effects of EMS training in comparison to other strength
Based on research by J. Mester, S. Nowak, J. Schmithuesen, H. Kleinoeder & U. Speicher (2008/2009)
As technology continues to reshape the fitness world, Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has emerged as a modern, time-efficient alternative to traditional strength training. Naturally, this has led researchers to investigate how EMS stacks up against more established training methods. Over the years, studies across various age groups and fitness levels have consistently shown that EMS is both effective and versatile. Still, a key question remains: How does Whole-Body EMS compare to conventional strength training techniques?
A research team from the German Sport University Cologne set out to answer this by comparing EMS against several common strength training protocols under strict performance-testing conditions.
Study Design
The study included 80 sport science students, divided into eight specialised training groups:
Training Method Participants
- Muscle Growth
- Maximum Strength
- EMS
- EMS + Muscle Growth
- Speed Strength
- Strength Endurance
- Vibration
- Vibration + Muscle Growth
Each group trained twice a week for four weeks. Performance was measured three times:
- Before training began (pre-test)
- Immediately after the 4-week programme (post-test)
- Two weeks after training ended (re-test) to measure lasting effects
Key Findings
The results revealed impressive advantages of EMS training:
✔ Significant Strength Gains
Participants in the EMS group increased their maximum strength by an average of 9%.
✔ Big Jump in Power Output
EMS users experienced an average 29% increase in maximum power, outperforming many traditional methods.
This is highly relevant both for athletic performance and everyday functional strength.
✔ Improved Speed — Uniquely Achieved by EMS
Out of all the training methods tested, EMS was the only one that improved the speed component of performance, making it a standout option for athletes needing explosive strength.
✔ Continued Improvements After Training
Interestingly, the EMS group was the only group that kept improving even after the study ended.
This suggests that EMS creates a delayed training effect, requiring longer recovery — a sign of deeper muscular activation.
Conclusion
Across multiple strength-related measurements, EMS delivered results equal to — and in several cases better than — conventional strength training methods. The researchers also noted that EMS elicited a more intense muscular response, which explains the longer recovery and ongoing improvements seen after training.
In summary:
- EMS is highly effective for increasing maximum strength and power.
- It offers unique benefits in developing speed and explosive capability.
- It can match or outperform traditional strength training in a fraction of the time.
- Its delayed-onset effect suggests deeper and more comprehensive muscle recruitment.
EMS training in professional sports
Based on research by Andre Filipovic & Dr. Heinz Kleinoeder (2013)
Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) began as a rehabilitation tool in medical settings, but over the past decade it has rapidly gained traction in the world of high-performance sport. Numerous studies — including a major 2011 review by the German Sport University Cologne — have shown that EMS offers a powerful and time-efficient alternative to traditional strength training.
With the introduction of modern Whole-Body EMS systems, athletes have demonstrated measurable improvements in maximum strength, speed, explosive power, and overall performance metrics such as jumping and sprinting ability. As a result, EMS has become increasingly relevant for professional athletes who need efficient training solutions that deliver fast, meaningful results.
Research Overview
Filipovic and Kleinoeder set out to evaluate how EMS could enhance performance in professional soccer — a sport where explosive strength, sprint ability, and power outputs are critical.
Their study involved 22 professional players from a German soccer team, who integrated EMS training into their routine over a 14-week period. Throughout the study, the athletes were tested across four key performance areas:
- Strength performance
- Speed and sprint ability
- Vertical jumping performance
- Kicking speed
Key Findings
The athletes who incorporated Whole-Body EMS into their programme showed substantial improvements across all measured categories:
- Strength increased by an average of 30.07%
- Jumping ability improved by 9.14%
- Speed and sprint performance increased by 19.38%
- Kicking speed improved by 16.3%
These changes highlight not only the neuromuscular benefits of EMS, but also its potential to enhance movement patterns that are essential for elite sport performance.
Conclusion
Filipovic and Kleinoeder’s research adds strong evidence to the growing body of literature demonstrating that EMS is a highly effective training method for professional athletes. Their study concluded that Whole-Body EMS can serve as a powerful and time-efficient alternative to conventional strength training in high-performance environments.
For sports teams and athletes looking to increase strength, speed, and explosive capability without adding excessive training volume, EMS offers a modern, science-backed solution.