Sayaka Funaki, Hiroomi Okada, Masamichi Ishigami
Development Laboratory, SEPTEM-SOKEN Co., Ltd.,
Naoki Kikuchi, Takanobu Okamoto
Nippon Sport Science University, Faculty of Sport Science

[Abstract]
Japan is a country of longevity, but the gap between longevity and healthy life expectancy is a challenge. It has been suggested that maintaining adequate physical activity and muscle mass is important for healthy life expectancy, but muscle mass declines in both men and women starting in their 40s, and it has been reported that more than 80% of those in their 40s do not have a continuous exercise habit.
In this study, we examined whether electrical skeletal muscle stimulation (EMS) using high frequency modulated multiple complex waves affects skeletal muscle and cognitive functions in middle-aged and elderly people.
Thirty-three healthy women aged 50-79 (average 58.5 years) were randomly assigned to the EMS group (17 subjects) or the control group (16 subjects). blood tests (triglyceride level, cholesterol level, blood glucose level, etc.), and cognitive tests were conducted before and after the 8-week intervention test.
The results showed that the EMS group showed a significant increase in muscle mass and knee extension muscle strength in the thighs to which the electrodes were attached.
In addition to the effects on skeletal muscles, improvements were also observed in several health-related parameters for middle-aged and elderly women, including increases in blood pressure, blood TG and adiponectin, and cognitive function.
The results suggest that even those who are unable or unwilling to continue voluntary exercise may benefit from health effects on skeletal muscles and cognitive function through training with EMS equipment.