National Strength and Conditioning Association-Spain position stand. Whole-body electromyostimulation training

  • A.J. Herrero Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, España. Centro de Investigación en Discapacidad Física, Fundación ASPAYM Castilla y León, Valladolid, España
  • J. Martín Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, España
  • P.J. Benito Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, España
  • I. Gonzalo-Martínez Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, España. Elements Research Group, Asociación Profesional de Entrenamiento Personal, España
  • I. Chulvi-Medrano Instituto Internacional del Deporte y las Ciencias Aplicadas, Valencia, España
  • D. García-López Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, España
Keywords: Electroestimulación integral, Chalecos de electroestimulación, Electroestimulación de cuerpo completo, Composición corporal, Fuerza muscular Integral electromyostimulation, Electromyostimulation vest, Whole body electromyostimulation, Body composition, Muscle strength Eletroestimulação integral, Vestimenta de eletroestimulação, Eletroestimulação de corpo inteiro, Composição corporal, Força muscular

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to establish the position of the Spanish delegation of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)-Spain about the methodology of training and the effects on the body of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), from a systematic review. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Google Scholar studies applying WB-EMS in the upper and lower limbs, which clearly described the protocols. Nine studies were analyzed. The usual WB-EMS training protocol consisted of 3 sessions every two weeks, lasting 20-30 min (85 Hz with a contraction-rest ratio of 4-4 or 6-4 s). The WB-EMS seems few effective to improve maximum strength and there is lack of evidence about its benefit to decrease body fat. The relationship between risk and profit makes other training methods more appropriate to improve muscle strength and body composition.

Published
2018-04-25
Issue
Vol. 8 No. 4 (2015): December 2015
Section
Special Article
Page/s
155-62