EMS vs. Resistance Training in Overweight Women

NCT07787286 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IR.BIRJAND.REC.1404.019
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of eight weeks of resistance training versus electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on oxidative stress indicators and cellular health index in overweight and obese women aged 35-45 years. Forty-two participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: resistance training, EMS, and control. The resistance training group will perform progressive resistance exercises three times per week for eight weeks. The EMS group will receive electrical muscle stimulation on biceps, abdominal, back, and quadriceps muscles three times per week for eight weeks. The control group will receive no intervention. Oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), glutathione, protein carbonyl (PC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) will be measured from blood samples. Cellular health will be assessed using phase angle (PhA) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance will also be evaluated. All measurements will be taken at baseline and 48 hours after the last training session. The primary outcome is change in phase angle. Secondary outcomes include changes in oxidative stress markers and physical performance.

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight

Keywords

Obesity; Overweight; Resistance Training; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Oxidative Stress; Phase Angle; Superoxide Dismutase; Catalase; Body Composition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Phase Angle (PhA) as a Cellular Health Index

  Phase angle (PhA) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Inbody770). PhA is calculated as the ratio of reactance (Xc) to resistance (R) and serves as an indicator of cellular health, membrane integrity, and cell function.

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Change in Serum Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

• Change in Upper Body Strength (Bench Press 1RM)

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

• Change in Lower Body Strength (Squat 1RM)

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

• Change in Upper Body Muscular Endurance (Push-Up Test)

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

• Change in Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)

  Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

Study Arms (3)

Resistance Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Eight weeks of progressive resistance training, 3 sessions per week. Each session includes upper body, back, abdominal, and lower body exercises. Training intensity progresses from 60% of 1RM in week 1 to 85% of 1RM in week 8.

Other: Resistance Training

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Eight weeks of electrical muscle stimulation training, 3 sessions per week. EMS applied to biceps brachii, abdominals, back, and quadriceps muscles using frequency of 35-70 Hz, pulse duration 100 μs, and pulse period 50 ms. Electrode size: 150 × 240 mm. Intensity progressively increased over 8 weeks.

Device: Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Control

OTHER

No exercise intervention during the 8-week study period. Participants are asked to maintain their usual lifestyle and physical activity levels.

Other: No Intervention

Interventions

Resistance Training OTHER

Progressive resistance training program including upper body (chest press), back (lat pulldown), abdominal (crunch), and lower body (squat) exercises. Performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Each session includes warm-up (10 min), main exercises (30 min), and cool-down (10 min). Intensity: 60-85% of 1RM, progressing weekly.

Resistance Training

Electrical Muscle Stimulation DEVICE

Electrical muscle stimulation applied to biceps brachii, abdominals, back, and quadriceps muscles using a commercial EMS device. Parameters: frequency 35-70 Hz, pulse duration 100 μs, pulse period 50 ms, electrode size 150 × 240 mm. Performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks, 15 minutes per session. Intensity progressively increased based on participant tolerance.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

No Intervention OTHER

Participants in the control group receive no exercise intervention during the 8-week study period.

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy non-menopausal women aged 35 to 45 years
• Body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m²
• Similar menstrual cycle pattern
• No pregnancy or lactation
• No continuous medication affecting fat or muscle mass (based on health and fitness questionnaire)
• No history of cruciate ligament injury or other upper/lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months
• No history of heart attack or acute cardiovascular disease
• No use of medications (glucocorticoids, beta-blockers, alcohol) or antioxidant supplements that could interfere with study results

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to complete the intervention program
• Absence from more than three consecutive training sessions
• Failure to comply with the study protocol
• Development of any medical condition during the study period that contraindicates continued participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Birjand University of Medical Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand

Birjand, South Khorasan Province, 9717434765, Iran

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity; Overweight

Interventions

Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

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

• Mohsen Mohammadnia Ahmadi, PhD

  university of birjand

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mohsen Ahmadi Mohammadnia, Assistant Proffessor

CONTACT

0985631026917; m.m.ahmadi2005@gmail.com

Mohsen Ahmadi Mohammadnia, Assistant proffesor

CONTACT

0985631026917; m.m.ahmadi2005@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. Due to the nature of the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) intervention, which produces a noticeable physical sensation, blinding of participants and investigators is not feasible. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation where possible.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: University of Birjand

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: resistance training, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), or control. Each group will receive their respective intervention over an 8-week period, with assessments conducted at baseline and post-intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 16, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 25, 2026
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (1)