EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION (EMS) ON BODY COMPOSITION AMONG WORKING ADULTS

Authors

  • FATIN HANANI MD SAID Department of wellness, Tone Hauz Studio, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • SHAZA MOHD SHAH Department of Human Resourse, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM), Selangor, Malaysia.
  • SAIDATUL NUR SYUHADAH MOHAMED SABADRI Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • MAISARAH MOHD SALEH Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Pahang, Malaysia.
  • ROSLEEN KHAIRI Faculty of Centre for General Studies, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • KHAYMA LATHA BALAKRISHNAN Faculty of Centre for General Studies, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i2.1120

Keywords:

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), body composition, working adults, lean muscle mass, sedentary lifestyle

Abstract

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has emerged as an innovative and time-efficient training modality that enhances muscle activation and promotes metabolic adaptations. While its benefits for athletes are well established, its potential for improving body composition among working adults who often face sedentary lifestyles and limited time for exercise remains underexplored. This study examined the effects of EMS training on body composition parameters among working adults with sedentary lifestyles. Thirty participants aged 30–45 years were randomly assigned to either an EMS training group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention lasted eight weeks, with the EMS group completing two 20-minute sessions per week. Body composition variables, including body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), lean muscle mass (LMM), and body mass index (BMI), were measured before and after the intervention using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results showed that the EMS group demonstrated significant reductions in body fat percentage (−3.4%, p < 0.01) and BMI (−1.1 kg/m², p < 0.05), along with a significant increase in lean muscle mass (+1.8%, p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. These findings suggest that EMS training is an effective and time-efficient approach for improving body composition among working adults, offering a practical alternative for individuals with limited time to engage in conventional exercise.

References

[1] Anderson, E., Durstine, J.L. (2019): Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review. – Sports Medicine and Health Science 1(1): 3-10.

[2] Beato, M., Maroto-Izquierdo, S., Turner, A.N., Bishop, C. (2021): Implementing strength training strategies for injury prevention in soccer: scientific rationale and methodological recommendations. – International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 16(3): 456-461.

[3] Chen, Y.C., Davies, R.G., Hengist, A., Carroll, H.A., Perkin, O.J., Betts, J.A., Thompson, D. (2022a): Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on energy expenditure and postprandial metabolism in healthy men. – Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 47(1): 27-33.

[4] Chen, Y.T., Hsieh, Y.Y., Ho, J.Y., Lin, T.Y., Lin, J.C. (2022b): Running training combined with blood flow restriction increases cardiopulmonary function and muscle strength in endurance athletes. – The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 36(5): 1228-1237.

[5] Filipovic, A., Kleinöder, H., Dörmann, U., Mester, J. (2011): Electromyostimulation--a systematic review of the influence of training regimens and stimulation parameters on effectiveness in electromyostimulation training of selected strength parameters. – Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 25(11): 3218-3238.

[6] Kemmler, W., Shojaa, M., Steele, J., Berger, J., Fröhlich, M., Schoene, D., Von Stengel, S., Kleinöder, H., Kohl, M. (2021): Efficacy of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on body composition and muscle strength in non-athletic adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis. – Frontiers in Physiology 12: 17p.

[7] Riyahi, E., Reisi, J., Marandi, S.M., Abdollahi, M. (2025): Training with electrical muscle stimulation: a novel method to improve Body Mass Index, lipid profile, growth hormone, and cortisol in overweight subjects. – Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 65(6): 811-818.

[8] Rodrigues, F., Domingos, C., Monteiro, D., Morouço, P. (2022): A review on aging, sarcopenia, falls, and resistance training in community-dwelling older adults. – International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(2): 11p.

[9] Rodrigues-Santana, L., Hugo, L., Pérez-Gómez, J., Hernández-Mocholí, M.A., Carlos-Vivas, J., Saldaña-Cortés, P., Contreras-Barraza, N., Adsuar, J.C. (2023): The effects of whole-body muscle stimulation on body composition and strength parameters: A PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis. – Medicine 102(8): 13p.

[10] Thivel, D., Tremblay, A., Genin, P.M., Panahi, S., Rivière, D., Duclos, M. (2018): Physical activity, inactivity, and sedentary behaviors: Definitions and implications in occupational health. – Frontiers in Public Health 6: 5p.

[11] Watanabe, K., Yoshida, T., Ishikawa, T., Kawade, S., Moritani, T. (2019): Effect of the combination of whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation and voluntary exercise on metabolic responses in human. – Frontiers in Physiology 10: 8p.

[12] World Health Organization (WHO) (2023): WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. – WHO 104p.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION (EMS) ON BODY COMPOSITION AMONG WORKING ADULTS. (2026). Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(2), 150-156. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i2.1120