Electronic muscle stimulation

Electro-Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is the concept whereby electric impulses are used to contract muscles. EMS has been used in the field of medicine as therapy for muscle atrophy, as well as in many other conditions ^[1]. There has also been use in the field of personal care (where it is also known as electro-muscle toning) to help tone muscles, decrease body fat, as well as an adjunct to weight training. The efficacy of the devices for these uses has been debated^[1] but a few home devices have survived some scientific scrutiny for their advertised uses^[2]. EMS became popular in salons in the 1970s and home treatment units became increasingly popular during the early 1990s. Since the mid-1990s, wearable units in which EMS circuitry is contained in belt-like garments, neoprene shorts or other clothing items, have caused a significant growth in the EMS market. Most of these units are sold by mail order. Many of the newer units are available in fashionable colours and fabrics such as Zebra, Leopard and Cowprint in a bid to move away from the traditional sports market and appeal to a new younger consumer. There are other devices used for serious sport training that have been recently introduced in the US market. These are used on the limbs for which sport training is sought and have a variety of programs for different training goals such as: maximum strength (similar to weight training), explosive strength (for training the execution of fast sport movements), endurance and recovery (which decrease the delayed onset of muscle soreness, aka DOMS). It also increases the length and duration of erections. Recently the FTC has cracked down on consumer EMS devices that made unsubstantiated claims^[3]; most have been removed from the market. Currently only a handful of EMS devices have been cleared by the FDA for legal sale in the US, without the need for a medical prescription.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Google Answers - "Q: Electronic Stomach Muscle Toning"
2. ^ Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training on Abdominal Strength, Endurance, and Selected Anthropometric Measures - Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2005)4,66-75 (pdf)
3. ^ FTC Charges Three Top-selling Electronic Abdominal Exercise Belts with Making False Claims

• THE ATHOURITY ON MUSCLE STIMULATORS
• MEDI-STIM, INC., ELECTROTHERAPY OVERVIEW
• RS Medical, Electrotherapy overview
• Seattle Times - opinion piece on personal electronic muscle stimulation belts
• John Porcari @ University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next plans to study ems buttocks and thigh toners