Effects of 12-week combined whole-body electric muscle stimulation and lower-extremity strength training on body composition, blood lipid levels, and isokinetic muscle function of patients with obesity and knee pain

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of a 12-week combined treatment intervention consisting of whole-body electric muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) and lower-extremity strength exercise on body composition, blood lipid levels, knee pain, and functional ability of patients with obesity and knee pain. METHODS: Fourteen patients with obesity and knee pain were randomly assigned to a control group (CON; n = 7) that performed lower-extremity strength exercises and an experimental group (EXP; n = 7) that performed lower-extremity strength exercises combined with WB-EMS. All participants performed the exercise program three days a week for 12 weeks. The WBEMS current strength of the combined treatment was set to a subjective maximum endogenous strength level of 2,500-5000 Hz (medium frequency). RESULTS: The CON and EXP groups showed similar improvements in body composition, blood lipid levels, Kellgren-Lawrence grading system, and functional ability. However, the Kujala patellofemoral score and isokinetic peak power of the quadriceps femoris improved more in the EXP group than in the CON group. CONCLUSION: The 12-week combined treatment intervention of WB-EMS and lower-extremity strength training applied in this study effectively improved pain and knee extension muscle strength in patients with obesity and knee pain.