Short time effect of a single session of intense whole-body electromyostimulation on energy expenditure. A contribution to fat reduction?

To determine the underlying mechanisms after 1 session of (intense) whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on total energy expenditure (TEE) and resting metabolic rate (RMR), 16 subjects followed a standardized protocol of indirect calorimetry for up to 72 h in 12-h intervals. The single session significantly increased RMR by approximately 25% ± 10% (p < 0.001) and TEE by approximately 9.5% ± 1%, a net effect of ∼460 ± 50 kcal (WB-EMS vs. control group).

Effect of whole-body electromyostimulation on energy expenditure during exercise.

The application of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) in the area of fat reduction and body shaping has become more popular recently. Indeed, some studies prove positive outcomes concerning parameters related to body composition. However, there are conflicting data as to whether EMS relevantly impacts energy expenditure (EE) during or after application. Thus, the main purpose of the study was to determine the acute effect of WB-EMS on EE. Nineteen moderately trained men (26.4 ± 4.3 years) were randomly assigned to a typically used low-intensity resistance exercise protocol (16 minutes) with (85 Hz) and without WB-EMS. Using a crossover design, the same subjects performed both tests after completely recovering within 7 days. Energy expenditure as the primary endpoint of this study was determined by indirect calorimetry. The EE during low-intensity resistance exercise with adjuvant WB-EMS was significantly higher (p = 0.008) than that during the control condition (412 ± 60 vs. 352 ± 70 kcal; effect size; d = 0.92). This study clearly demonstrates the additive effect of WB-EMS on EE in moderately trained subjects during low-intensity resistance exercise training. Although this effect was statistically significant, the fast and significant reductions of body fat observed in recent studies suggest that the effect of WB-EMS on EE may still be underestimated by indirect calorimetry because of the inability of indirect calorimetry to accurately assess EE during "above-steady state conditions." Although from a statistically point of view WB-EMS clearly impacts EE, the relatively small effect did not suggest a broad application of this device in this area. However, taking other positive outcomes of this technology into account, WB-EMS may be a time-saving option at least for subjects unwilling or unable to exercise conventionally.

Exercise effects on bone mineral density, falls, coronary risk factors, and health care costs in older women: the randomized controlled senior fitness and prevention (SEFIP) study.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise affects many risk factors and diseases and therefore can play a vital role in general disease prevention and treatment of elderly individuals and may reduce costs. We sought to determine whether a single exercise program affects fracture risk (bone mineral density [BMD] and falls), coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, and health care costs in community-dwelling elderly women. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial from May 1, 2005, through July 31, 2008, recruiting women 65 years or older who were living independently in the area of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. In all, 246 women were randomly assigned to an 18-month exercise program (exercise group) or a wellness program (control group). The exercise group (n = 123) performed a multipurpose exercise program with special emphasis on exercise intensity; the controls (n = 123) focused on well-being with a low-intensity, low-frequency program. The main outcome measures were BMD, the number of falls, the Framingham-based 10-year CHD risk, and direct health care costs. RESULTS: For the 227 women who completed the 18-month study, significant exercise effects were observed for BMD of the lumbar spine (mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] percentage of change in BMD [baseline to follow-up] for the exercise group: 1.77% [1.26% to 2.28%] vs controls: 0.33% [-0.24% to 0.91%]; P < .001), femoral neck (exercise group: 1.01% [0.37% to 1.65%] vs controls: -1.05% [-1.70% to -0.40%]; P < .001), and fall rate per person during 18 months (exercise group: 1.00 [0.76 to 1.24] vs controls: 1.66 [1.33 to 1.99]; P = .002). The 10-year CHD risk was significantly affected in both subgroups (absolute change for the exercise group: -1.96% [95% CI, -2.69% to -1.23%] vs controls: -1.15% [-1.69% to -0.62%]; P = .22), with no significant difference between the groups. The direct health care costs per participant during the 18-month intervention showed nonsignificant differences between the groups (exercise group: 2255 euros[95% CI, 1791 euros-2718 euros] vs controls: 2780 euros [2187 euros-3372 euros]; P = .20). CONCLUSION: Compared with a general wellness program, our 18-month exercise program significantly improved BMD and fall risk, but not predicted CHD risk, in elderly women. This benefit occurred at no increase in direct costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00267839.