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![]() ![]() (Muscle hypertrophy means gaining muscle mass. “EMS doesn’t provide enough resistance to cause muscle hypertrophy,” Cofield says. EMS has the potential to serve as a strength training and rehab tool as well as offer post-exercise recovery benefits for athletes. In fact, if you’re looking to gain muscle mass, stick to heavy lifting and protein shakes. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electrical impulses. However, the most significant gains are typically seen in a rehab setting among post-operative patients dealing with severe muscle atrophy and lack of coordination, Cofield explains, not the everyday athlete interested in bench pressing more weight or shaving time off their 5K PR. “If you can train more muscle fibers to fire at a given time, you will be able to produce more force,” Cofield says. Marketers also promise that EMS machines can build strength, but this comes with a fair share of caveats.Īccording to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning in 2021, which examined 19 studies, researchers found that electric muscle stimulation yielded the same strength-building results as traditional strength training-as long as training volume was the same. Which Is Better: Active or Passive Recovery?Ĭan an electric muscle stimulation device really build strength?. ![]() “Treat the symptoms, but you must always go back and find the cause.” “A distraction is not a cure,” Cofield says. But it’s not a long-term solution for a chronic issue. At best, it will temporarily reduce pain, thanks to a process known as the pain gate theory.Ĭofield explains that electric muscle stimulation or e-stim units, specifically transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines, which target the sensory nerves versus the motor nerves, “provide a competing stimulus in the painful area that basically distracts the brain and causes the nervous system to pay attention to that stimulus instead of any other stimuli.” This is why vibrating foam rollers tend to feel less painful than traditional rollers.įor those annoying aches and pains that pop up on occasion-a tight back muscle or an IT band syndrome flare-up-15 minutes with a basic TENS unit (or an EMS machine on a low setting) is a good non-steroidal, non-invasive option for pain management. The device also comes with a comfortable and durable carrying bag, as well as a USB charger. 12 of the 24 functions of the iSTIM are for Tens while the other 12 are EMS programs. Dish Nation is a FOX syndicated TV show that dishes on celebrity news with humorous commentary on pop culture.NEWS: Where to Watch: dishnation. However, if an injury is at the root of your post-run swelling, EMS won’t fix it. This EMS device is another good option for those who want the option of a Tens machine together with their EMS. ![]()
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