Effect of Electrical Muscle Stimulation and Resistance Exercise Intervention on Physical and Brain Function in Middle-Aged and Older Women

Ngeemasara Thapa, Ja-Gyeong Yang, Seongryu Bae, Gwon-Min Kim, Hye-Jin Park and Hyuntae Park ()
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Ngeemasara Thapa: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
Ja-Gyeong Yang: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
Seongryu Bae: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
Gwon-Min Kim: Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
Hye-Jin Park: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
Hyuntae Park: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) with resistance exercise training (ERT) and resistance exercise training (RT) on physical and brain function in middle-aged and older women. Method: Forty-eight participants were randomly allocated into three groups: (i) ERT ( n = 16), (ii) RT ( n = 16), and (iii) control group ( n = 16). The intervention session was 50 min long and performed three times/week for four weeks. The ERT group performed quadriceps setting, straight leg raises, and ankle pump exercises while constantly receiving EMS on their quadriceps muscle on both legs. The RT group performed the same exercise without EMS. Physical function was measured using skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, gait speed, five times sit-to-stand test (FTSS) and timed up-and-go test (TUG). Brain function was assessed with electroencephalogram measurement of whole brain activity. Results: After four-week intervention, significant improvements were observed in SMI ( p < 0.01), phase angle ( p < 0.05), and gait speed ( p < 0.05) in the ERT group compared to the control group. ERT also increased muscle strength ( p < 0.05) and mobility in lower limbs as observed in FTSS and TUG tests ( p < 0.05) at post-intervention compared to the baseline. In the ERT group, significant positive changes were observed in Beta1 band power, Theta band power, and Alpha1 band whole brain connectivity ( p < 0.005) compared to the control group. Conclusions: Our findings showed that ERT can improve muscle and brain function in middle-aged and older adults during a four-week intervention program whereas significant improvements were not observed with RT. Therefore might be one of the feasible alternative intervention to RT for the prevention of muscle loss whilst improving brain function for middle-aged and older population.

Keywords: electrical muscle stimulation; resistance exercise; sarcopenia; physical function; cognitive function; combined exercise; short-term intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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