Electrical Stimulation Enhances Muscle Growth When Combined with Weight Training, Study Finds

Research shows that neuromuscular electrical stimulation can significantly boost strength and muscle mass when integrated with traditional resistance exercises.

• A meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 374 participants found that combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with resistance training leads to greater muscle strength and mass compared to weight training alone.
• NMES works by delivering electrical currents to nerves, causing muscles to contract involuntarily, and activates both small and large muscle fibers simultaneously from the start of an exercise.
• The most significant improvements were observed in programs lasting at least 8 weeks with high-frequency stimulation (85 Hz or greater) and multiple weekly sessions.
• The research highlights NMES's potential for fitness enthusiasts and therapeutic applications, such as aiding individuals with limited ability to perform traditional exercise or improving metabolic health in conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
• While promising, the findings are limited by small sample sizes, a focus on leg muscles, and the lack of dietary controls in the analyzed studies.

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