EMS Combined With Resistance Training in Weight Lifters

NCT07484646 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Aifa Zeenat REC/25/0414
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) combined with resistance training on muscle mass, muscular strength, body composition, and power in trained weightlifters. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving resistance training alone and the other receiving EMS combined with resistance training. The intervention will be conducted for eight weeks, and outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post-intervention (8 weeks). The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the additional benefits of EMS when combined with conventional resistance training programs in enhancing muscular performance among trained athletes.

Conditions

Body Composition; Muscle Mass; Muscle Strength

Keywords

Muscle Mass; Muscle Strength; Body Composition; Resistance Training; Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Mid Upper Arm Circumference

  This measurement helps assess muscle size and mass in the upper arm. It is a simple, non-invasive way to estimate changes in muscle growth

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

• Thigh Circumference

  This measures the circumference of the thigh, another area where muscle growth can be tracked. It gives insights into lower-body muscle mass

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

• Skinfold Thickness

  This refers to the measurement of skinfolds at specific body sites (such as triceps, abdomen, and thigh) using calipers. It provides an estimate of subcutaneous fat and indirectly reflects muscle mass as well

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

• 30s Sit-to-Stand Test

  This test measures functional lower-body strength by counting how many times a person can rise from a chair in 30 seconds. It assesses leg strength and endurance

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

• Arm Curl Test

  This evaluates upper-body strength by counting how many bicep curls a person can perform in 30 seconds using a set weight. It focuses on arm muscle endurance and strength

  Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week

• 1RM Estimation (One Repetition Maximum)

  This measures the maximum amount of weight a person can lift in 1 repetition for a given exercise (like squats). Estimating the 1RM helps evaluate maximal strength

  Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week

• Vertical Jump Test (Sayers Equation)

  This test measures lower-body power by assessing how high an individual can jump from a standing position. The Sayers equation is used to calculate power output from the vertical jump height

  Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week

• Standing Long Jump

  This test assesses lower-body power and strength by measuring how far an individual can jump forward from a standing start

  Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week

Study Arms (2)

EMS + Resistance Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive supervised resistance training combined with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). EMS Parameters: Frequency: 85 Hz Pulse Duration: 400 µs Duty Cycle: 10 seconds ON / 50 seconds OFF Duration: 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks EMS will be applied over major muscle groups during compound resistance exercises.

Other: EMS + Resistance Training

Resistance Training Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive supervised resistance training without EMS application. Training Frequency: 3 sessions per week Duration: 8 weeks

Other: Resistance Training Only

Interventions

EMS + Resistance Training OTHER

This group will combine the benefits of both EMS and Resistance Training to maximize muscle mass, strength, and body composition improvements using both EMS and RT (18). EMS will be applied to muscles using a frequency-specific protocol. EMS treatment according to the parameters defined as frequency (85 Hz), pulse duration (400 1s), and the duty cycle (10s on: 50s off). Exercises: A complementary schedule of EMS and resistance exercises. Frequency: 3 times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) for 8 weeks.

EMS + Resistance Training

Resistance Training Only OTHER

This protocol will emphasize muscle strengthening through resistance training to improve strength and muscle mass through traditional resistance training methods (7). Exercises: A selection of exercises focusing on muscle mass and strength. Compound exercises (such as squats, deadlifts, bench press) and isolation exercises (such as bicep curls, triceps extensions) Frequency: 3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 8 weeks.

Resistance Training Only

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Males subjects will be included
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 18-40 years
• Resistance training ≥3 times/week for at least 1 year
• Active participation in weightlifting, bodybuilding, or strength athletics
• Medically cleared for physical activity

You may not qualify if:

• Neuromuscular disorders
• Cardiac pacemaker or implantable electronic device
• Recent musculoskeletal injury (within the last 6 months)
• Skin sensitivity or allergy to EMS electrodes

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Punjab Sports Board

Lahore, Punjab Province, 547000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (6)

• Amarante do Nascimento M, Nunes JP, Pina FLC, Ribeiro AS, Carneiro NH, Venturini D, Barbosa DS, Mayhew JL, Cyrino ES. Comparison of 2 Weekly Frequencies of Resistance Training on Muscular Strength, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers in Resistance-Trained Older Women: Effects of Detraining and Retraining. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 May 1;36(5):1437-1444. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003799. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

  PMID: 32868680 BACKGROUND

• Arazi H, Asadi A, Gentil P, Ramirez-Campillo R, Jahangiri P, Ghorbani A, Hackney AC, Zouhal H. Effects of different resistance training frequencies on body composition and muscular performance adaptations in men. PeerJ. 2021 Apr 21;9:e10537. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10537. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 33976952 BACKGROUND

• Kassiano W, Nunes JP, Costa B, Ribeiro AS, Schoenfeld BJ, Cyrino ES. Does Varying Resistance Exercises Promote Superior Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gains? A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Jun 1;36(6):1753-1762. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004258. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

  PMID: 35438660 BACKGROUND

• Mcleod JC, Currier BS, Lowisz CV, Phillips SM. The influence of resistance exercise training prescription variables on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical function in healthy adults: An umbrella review. J Sport Health Sci. 2024 Jan;13(1):47-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.06.005. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

  PMID: 37385345 BACKGROUND

• Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Davies TB, Lazinica B, Krieger JW, Pedisic Z. Effect of Resistance Training Frequency on Gains in Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2018 May;48(5):1207-1220. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0872-x.

  PMID: 29470825 BACKGROUND

• Kaabi S, Mabrouk RH, Passelergue P. Weightlifting Is Better Than Plyometric Training to Improve Strength, Counter Movement Jump, and Change of Direction Skills in Tunisian Elite Male Junior Table Tennis Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Oct 1;36(10):2912-2919. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003972. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

  PMID: 33629971 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Resistance Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Aifa Zeenat, MS*

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Danish Hassan, PhD

CONTACT

03457946009; danish.hassan009@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: March 20, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)