Sweating with power surges EMS training without movement

Doing sports without doing sports? One new method that more and more gyms are promoting is electromyostimulation training (EMS). "Time savings, efficiency and little effort", these are the most common promises of the provider. But what really brings EMS training, where the muscles are stimulated by electrical impulses?

Muscle loss without much effort? That's the wish of many. EMS should have at least a supporting effect. In this method, small electrodes are attached to a special clothing on the entire body. These deliver surges of electricity to make the muscles contract. The muscle is so promoted. But the training should always take place under expert guidance. Because the body reacts very sensitively to electricity. For this reason, especially people with cardiovascular problems or other serious diseases should first consult a doctor.

A sports scientist and a personal trainer explain the advantages and disadvantages of EMS training, which is increasingly offered in numerous centers.

Back pain is a common reason to undertake EMS training. Because the units bring the metabolism properly in motion. Also, patients with connective tissue weakness can punish their connective tissue. "The surges stimulate deeper muscles and the skeletal muscles, as we know it from the Pilates," says the personal trainer Gregor Alexander Braun, who has been working for 2 years with electrical stimulation training.

EMS has some risks
Prof. Ingo Froböse of the German Sport University in Cologne warns: "The muscles are maximally contracted in the EMS, there are high to highest loads. The blood pressure shoots up, it is applied selective pressure as when walking with high heels ". Dr. Johannes Rehhagen warns of the general dangers. "Humans are very sensitive to electrical currents. Even at a voltage of 40 volts, some people react, for example, by a strong sweating with burns or a restriction of the function of the peripheral nerves. "Also dangerous cardiac arrhythmias can be triggered because the current can be destroyed by excitation lines. But so far, such cases are very rare. Patients with multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, cancer, thrombosis, cardiac pacemakers, and epileptics should generally not undertake EMS training. Important is a professional guide.

Almost always with sore muscles
If all dangers are excluded, the first successes are already evident after 10 training sessions. Especially people with back problems notice a significant improvement. The muscles become stronger, pain decreases. "EMS is a wonderful shape to prevent muscle breakdown and support the body," says Froböse.

The muscles need a longer recovery time after exercise. "Most of the time it only takes two days to notice that the deeper muscles are reporting," explains Braun. "In the case of men, the buttocks often hurt, and in women it is the arms."

Good support for endurance training
"EMS is a good supplement to traditional training methods. Here are small muscles stimulated, "says Froböse. Endurance athletes benefit from the stress of muscle parts, which are much less stimulated.

However, such training also has its price. Between 35 and 100 euros cost such a training session. Although EMS helps with back problems, the health insurance pay a penny. However, EMS can not replace conventional sport, it can only support it at most. (Sb)

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