Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and Lifestyle Modifications on the Metabolic Syndrome in Premenopausal Overweight Women. A Randomized Controlled Trial

› Purpose: Whole-body Electromyostimulation training (WB-EMS) is a time-efficient and safe alternative to conventional resistance-type exercise.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of WB-EMS, modifications of daily activity and diet on cardiometabolic risk in premenopausal overweight and obese women.› Methods: Ninety premenopausal overweight women were randomly assigned to three groups (n=30 each).The control group (CG) was energy-restricted by 500 kcal/day via carbohydrate reduction with a protein intake of 1.2 g/kg body mass/d.The "physical activity" (PA) group was instructed to achieve the same negative energy balance (-500 kcal/d), albeit half (-250 kcal/d) via increased physical activity.Protein intake of the PA groups was specified as 1.7 g/kg body mass/d.Finally, the "Whole-Body Electromyostimulation" (WB-EMS) group completed a 20-minute WB-EMS 1.5x/week in addition to the modifications of group PA.Primary endpoint was the change in the metabolic syndrome Z-score (MetS-Z) after 16 weeks of intervention analyzed by the intention to treat principle with multiple imputation.› Results: In summary, the WB-EMS intervention featured the lowest drop-out and the highest compliance rate.While no significant between-group differences (p=.226) were determined, only the WB-EMS group saw the MetS Z-score improve significantly (p=.003 vs. CG: p=.647 vs. PA: p=.119).› Conclusion: Despite the lack of significant effects compared to control groups with dietary optimization and/or increased daily activity, we consider adjuvant WB-EMS application to be a promising combination for improving cardiometabolic variables in premenopausal overweight and obese women.