In recent years, electrostimulation has been rising as a complement to training to increase the capabilities and well-being of the body and mind.
There are different objectives depending on the person, but one of the most sought after is to increase muscle mass and thus avoid possible ailments or injuries in the future. You know, better safe than cure.
Can an electrostimulator help gain muscle mass?
The answer is yes. If you properly choose the program to follow and accompany it with voluntary exercises, I assure you that you will achieve it. It does not depend on a miracle, but on the desire you have to improve your state.
A benefit, for those who cannot exercise the joints directly, according to Lanzani A., in his book ”Training in electrostimulation”, is that in bodybuilding the advantage of the electrostimulator is in being able to act on weak muscle groups or that the training traditional does not manage to develop and, all this, without overloading the joint structure.
The effectiveness of electrostimulation is collected in research comparing EMS with training using loads. The results obtained are quite significant in this regard:
In an investigation carried out with 20 physical education students, who were separated into two homogeneous groups, one group was given loads to train the quadriceps, at a level of 70% of the maximum force; while the other group was entrusted with training, exclusively using EMS. The results showed the superiority of electrostimulation.
This study was conducted by J.Turostowsi et al. in 1999. It lasted 5 weeks, with 3 training sessions per week of about 10 minutes each. Before and after the study, the explosiveness index and the measurement, by scanner, of muscle mass were analyzed. The results showed greater explosive strength and increased muscle size in the students who had trained with an electrostimulator.
EMS para recuperar masa muscular
Julio Tous, a professor at the Ramón Llull University in Spain and an expert in the theory and practice of sports training, gives evidence of the effectiveness of EMS in his book in which he mentions many current studies. Some of these are collected here:
- Its usefulness in the field of muscle rehabilitation and recovery, as well as a complement to strength training in sports performance, is beyond doubt (Delito, 1989; ZIF, 1990; Mishchenko and Monogarov, 1995).
- Some more recent studies have found greater gains in muscle mass after using an electrostimulation program compared to a dynamic one (Ruther et al., 1995).
Electrostimulation not only helps completely healthy people achieve muscle mass, but it has also been shown to help hemodialysis patients. These patients are characterized by the loss of muscle mass at the same time that their functional capacity decreases. Recently, and with increasing frequency, electrostimulation is of interest to specialists who see a therapeutic alternative to help themselves with electrostimulators and maintain the physical condition of patients.
This pathology can lead, in the long run, to severe muscle atrophy and the appearance of symptoms as diverse as fatigue, cramps, weakness, or myoclonus, which refers to sudden and brief contractions, totally involuntary, and that can cause displacement of the muscle.
Electrostimulation gains importance as effective muscle therapy during hemodialysis sessions, because many patients due to their physical condition are not able to follow up with voluntary exercises. In addition, it stands out for its easy application, its safety and the absence of serious contraindications.
Study to observe the effect of EMS on muscle strength
In a study carried out by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Terrassa Hospital, a 12-week investigation was carried out, between the months of September and November 2013. The objective was to be able to observe the effect of an electrostimulation program on the Muscle strength, functional capacity, and body composition in hemodialysis patients.
Two groups were established to compare, one group continued with their usual physical activity and the other group began to practice physical exercise with electrostimulation. Both were controlled before and during the trial of the study.
The observation was focused on the lower limbs, specifically on the quadriceps, where an evident significant increase in the muscular area of the area where the electrostimulator had been worked on could be observed. In the same way, an increase in oxygen to the tissues and proteins related to muscle metabolism was witnessed.
The study concluded that EMS improved:
- Muscle strength of both quadriceps.
- Functional capacity.
- Muscle composition.
- The physical condition.
- And the quality of life of patients.
Practical application to gain muscle mass with EMS
A training session working with loads complemented with electrostimulation exercises of 2 sessions a week with 3 cycles is proposed. Goals:
- Increase muscle mass and tone in a general way.
- Avoid imbalances in the muscles.
Load training
Training with electrostimulation
Conclusion
It has been shown that electrostimulation to gain muscle mass is completely effective and easy to apply.
More and more trainers and professionals in the sector are incorporating the electrotherapy method to obtain multiple benefits, both for healthy people and for patients with pathologies.
