By John Salak –
There is something buzzing when it comes to building strength and muscle mass—shocking news for muscle development. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electrical muscle stimulation may be more effective at buffing up a person than standard resistance training alone.
The stimulation devices, which use electrical currents to contract muscles, are easy to use and widely available. NMES devices have already been widely used for years for maintaining muscle strength and preventing atrophy, especially with immobilized patients. But to date, there has been little proof that these devices actually help build muscle mass in line with resistance training that is included in basic workouts. This information gap intrigued a team from the Department of Kinesiology at The University of Texas at El Paso.
“Can these stimulators offer any benefits when used during resistance training? What does the research say?” wondered Professor Sudip Bajpeyi. Apparently, NMES can help.
A meta-analysis study found that using NMES while doing resistance training leads to greater muscle mass and strength compared to resistance training alone, Bajpeyi reported. The conclusions were drawn by Bajpeyi and his team after studying more than a dozen studies involving NMES.
“A meta-analysis provides more comprehensive evidence on studies that explore the same research question,” Bajpeyi said. “This approach allows us to move beyond the limitations of individual studies and make more informed, evidence-based conclusions.”
The team specifically analyzed research that combined NMES with resistance training. This involved activities such as bench presses or squats while using NMES devices. The exercises covered doing about eight to 12 repetitions of one weight training exercise, resting and then repeating the process.
The studies compared the results of participants using electrical stimulators while exercising to those who did the exercises with no electrical stimulation. Participants’ muscle mass and strength were assessed at the beginning and the end of each study. Training periods for participants ranged from two to 16 weeks, with longer durations yielding better results.
The analysis revealed that NMES may aid in muscle development because it mirrors the body’s natural responses to physical activity.
“Under normal conditions, the brain activates muscles by sending signals through the nervous system,” Bajpeyi said. “NMES mimics this process by delivering external electrical currents to the nerves, causing the muscles to contract, without input from the brain. Think of it as though your muscles are contracting involuntarily.”
The university team isn’t stopping at just investigating how NMES might impact muscle development, It is also looking into whether it might assist in regulating blood glucose levels and even reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes.
“Exercise is medicine, but not everyone is able or willing to engage in traditional exercise” Bajpeyi explained. “NMES has great potential for improving metabolic health by building muscle mass, which can help the body process blood glucose more effectively.”
