Electrical muscle stimulation
[clarification needed] Electrostimulation has been found to be ineffective during post exercise recovery and can even lead to an increase in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
The impulses mimic the action potential that comes from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract.
EMS fitness is designed to stimulate all the major muscle groups to elicit strength and endurance adaptations.
[13] EMS may lead to statistically significant improvement in quadriceps muscle strength, however, further research is needed as this evidence is graded as low certainty.
[13] Low certainty evidence indicates that adding EMS to an existing exercise programme may help people who are unwell spend fewer days confined to their beds.
Additional studies on practical applications, which came after that congress, pointed out important factors that make the difference between effective and ineffective EMS.
[28][29] In the 1960s, Soviet sport scientists applied EMS in the training of elite athletes, claiming 40% force gains.
[31] Medical physiology research[32][24] pinpointed the mechanisms by which electrical stimulation causes adaptation of cells of muscles, blood vessels[33][34][35] and nerves.
Prescription devices should be used under the supervision of an authorized practitioner, for the following uses: The FDA mandates that manuals prominently display contraindication, warnings, precautions and adverse reactions, including: no use for wearer of pacemaker; no use on vital parts, such as carotid sinus nerves, across the chest, or across the brain; caution in the use during pregnancy, menstruation, and other particular conditions that may be affected by muscle contractions; potential adverse effects include skin irritations and burns Only FDA-certified devices can be lawfully sold in the US without medical prescription.
[36] The FTC has cracked down on consumer EMS devices that made unsubstantiated claims;[37] many have been removed from the market, some have obtained FDA certification.
