BACKGROUND:

Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a new tendency in training used to complement conventional training.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim was to analyze the effects of training with WB-EMS on body composition, strength and balance in middle-aged women.

METHODS:

Twenty-eight women were randomly assigned to two groups: the WB-EMS group (age= 48.1±4.3 years) or the control group (CG)(age= 51.1±5.4 years). All participants continued their training of 2 days⋅ week-1 and 60 min⋅ day-1 of endurance-dynamic strength exercises and additionally did 20 minutes more of dynamic strength exercises one day⋅ week-1: the WB-EMS group did the additional training with WB-EMS and the CG did the same training but without WB-EMS. Body composition, muscle isokinetic strength of the knee flexors/extensors and postural stability were measured before and after 8 weeks of training.

RESULTS:

After the training program, the WB-EMS group showed lower values for the waist circumference (83.00±7.37 vs. 78.50±7.30 cm; p< 0.01), hip circumference (104.80±8.61 vs. 101.00±6.78 cm; p< 0.05) and total fat mass (37.04±6.08 vs. 36.26±5.78%; p< 0.05). In balance stability the WB-EMS group reduced their Fall Risk Index (1.70±0.51 vs. 1.30±0.38 AU; p< 0.01) and deviation (1.50±0.43 vs. 1.03±0.74 AU; p< 0.01) after training and showed lower values in the Fall Risk Index (p= 0.007) and deviation (p= 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS:

The WB-EMS training program helps reduce the risk of falling and improves body composition variables and balance results in middle-aged physically active women.