Today’s modern lifestyles tend to feature one-dimensional movement and activity patterns that result in a population that is stiff, aching and constantly seeing body ailments that are worsening over time.
Countering this, functional fitness training has established itself as a stable and global trend in the fitness and health industry over the last decade. Functional fitness has developed as a training concept based on movements and physical capacity requirements of everyday life, work or sporting activities. Many smaller training concepts, such as CrossFit, but also bigger gym brands have incorporated this trend into their facilities and training schedules.
As the primary goal of functional training is to transfer training-related strength improvements from one movement to another by affecting the entire neuromuscular system, EMS training might be a form of training that can significantly contribute towards this goal.
In a research study done in 2017, the effects of an 8-week EMS (electro-muscle-stimulation) training on functional strength endurance were examined. A modified version of a common strength endurance benchmark test from the CrossFit training concept, consisting of as many rounds as possible of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats in consecutive order within 10 minutes, was selected and administered to a group of 25 men between 25 and 49 years of age (average age 35,6 years) before and after 8-weeks of BODYTEC training.
The results showed that strength endurance capacity, including pulling, pushing and squatting, significantly improved after the 8-week EMS training. The findings of this research suggest that controlled, dynamic and bodyweight-only EMS training is an effective form of training for individuals wanting or needing to improve strength endurance or functional strength abilities for everyday activities and sport-specific requirements. In other words, if you’re tired of your mundane, one-dimensional movement routine in your life, including sitting at an office desk for long periods of time during the day, EMS training is an effective way to strengthen your body. Additionally, its incredible time-saving element – a quick 20-minute workout – allows you to increase strength and endurance in an efficient way, no matter how busy your lifestyle is.
