From the age of 50 onwards, there is a disproportionate decline in muscle strength, mass and function, which can be prevented or at least delayed by physical training. Unfortunately, many training programmes are very time-consuming and strenuous and are therefore not carried out consistently. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), a technology in which all major muscle groups are stimulated with an adjusted stimulation level, could be a time-effective and joint-friendly alternative. However, there are some contraindications to the widespread use of this technology, which are particularly common in middle-aged and elderly people. For example, high blood pressure, which affects more than half of men over the age of 50 in Germany, is considered a contraindication for WB-EMS training. However, this assessment is not very reliable; at least, acute WB-EMS application does not lead to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, there are no study results available for long-term WB-EMS application in people with high blood pressure. The present study particularly investigate whether and to what extent several weeks of WB-EMS training has an effect on resting blood pressure in people with mild blood pressure. Additionally, the effect of WB-EMS on other cardiometabolic risk factors and physical function will be addressed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
28
Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuebingen
Erlangen, Germany
Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen
Erlangen, Germany
Resting blood pressure
Changes of mean arterial blood pressure after 10 min of rest in a sitting position as assessed by an automatic sphygmomanometer
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Metabolic syndrome
Changes of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) as determined by the MetS-Z-Score
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Body fat rate
Changes of body fat rate as determined by Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lean body mass
Changes of lean body mass as determined by Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Maximum muscle strength
Changes of maximum hip-/leg extension strength as determined by a leg press
Time frame: At baseline and after 12weeks of intervention
Aerobic capacity
Changes of aerobic capacity as determined by a stepwise crosstrainer test to submaximum exertion
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lower extremity muscle power
Changes of lower extremity muscle power as determined by a 5times sit to stand test
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Concentration of inflammatory markers
Changes of inflammatory markers as determined by cytokines
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Concentration of adipose-tissue derived hormones
Changes of adipose tissue-derived hormones as determined by adipokines
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Concentration of muscle-tissue derived hormones
Changes of muscle-tissue derived hormones as determined by myokines
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Bluthochdruck - Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit [Hypertension - Quality of Life Questionnaire]
Changes in QoL in people with hypertension according to a questionnaire from 1 (excellent, completely agree) to 6 (very bad/completely disagree). Lower scores indicate better outcomes
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Changes in sleep quality according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire on a scale from 1 (worst outcome) to 4 (best outcome). Higher scores indicate better sleep quality.
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Adverse effects
All categories of adverse effects as determined by structured monthly telephone interview
Time frame: From baseline assessment to 12 week control assessment (during the intervention)
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