Effects of Longitudinal Whole-Body Electromyo-stimulation on Muscular Power and Endurance Parameters in Sportspeople and Athletes

Püschel M, Kohl M, von Stengel S, Shojaa M, Filipovic A, Kemmler W (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin Süddt. Verl. onpact

Book Volume: 77

Pages Range: 37-45

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.5960/dzsm.2025.654

Abstract

› Due to its time-efficient and joint-friendly character, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) attracts sportspeople and athletes of different disciplines. Nevertheless, whilst some trials reported positive effects of WB-EMS on performance parameters, the study situation is very inconsistent. › Thus, the present meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effect of WB-EMS on maximum muscle power and endurance performance in sportspeople. Five electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science, SportDiscus) were searched until 03/06/2025 according to the PRISMA scheme. Applying a random-effect model that includes the inverse heterogeneity model, effects sizes (SMD) and 95%-confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated. Subgroup-analyses focused on different modes of WB-EMS. The search identified 13 eligible trials with 14 WB-EMS and 13 control groups. › In summary, we observed positive effects of WB-EMS on maximum hip/lower extremity power (13 studies, SMD: 0.48, 95%-CI: 0.04 to 0.91). Subgroup analyses revealed positive effects of superimposed WB-EMS versus underlying voluntary exercise (10 studies, SMD: 0.46, 95%-CI: 0.03 to 0.89). Heterogeneity between the trial results was moderate to substantial in both cases (I2 =58% and I2 =62%). The few WB-EMS trials (n=3) that addressed endurance performance (i.e. V˙ O2peak) reported inconclusive and, on average, non-significant results (SMD: 0.32, 95%-CI:-0.19 to 0.84). › The present study provided considerable evidence for a favorable effect of superimposed WB-EMS on maximum power in already well-trained sportspeople and athletes. By contrast, positive evidence for the effects of WB-EMS on endurance performance is lacking, particularly due to the varying research issues of the studies and diverging exercise protocols.

Authors with CRIS profile

Simon Freiherr von Stengel Institute of Radiology Wolfgang Kemmler Institute of Radiology

Involved external institutions

Hochschule Furtwangen DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Tübingen DE Germany (DE) Verein für Bewegungsspiele (VfB) Stuttgart DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Püschel, M., Kohl, M., von Stengel, S., Shojaa, M., Filipovic, A., & Kemmler, W. (2026). Effects of Longitudinal Whole-Body Electromyo-stimulation on Muscular Power and Endurance Parameters in Sportspeople and Athletes. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin, 77(2), 37-45. https://doi.org/10.5960/dzsm.2025.654

MLA:

Püschel, M., et al. "Effects of Longitudinal Whole-Body Electromyo-stimulation on Muscular Power and Endurance Parameters in Sportspeople and Athletes." Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin 77.2 (2026): 37-45.

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