Effects of 12-week combined whole-body electric muscle stimulation and lower-extremity strength training on body composition, blood lipid levels, and isokinetic muscle function of patients with obesity and knee pain

• Published in: Physical activity and nutrition Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 8 - 17
• Main Authors: Lee, Hee Eun, Park, Hun-Young, Kim, Sung-Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Exercise Nutrition 01.03.2025; 한국운동영양학회
• Subjects: Original; 체육; isokinetic muscle function; knee pain; whole-body electric muscle stimulation; lower-extremity strength exercise; obesity; blood lipids level
• ISSN: 2733-7545; 2733-7545
• DOI: 10.20463/pan.2025.0002

[Purpose] We examined the effects of a 12-week combined treatment intervention consisting of whole-body electric muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) and lower-extremity strength exercise on body composition, blood lipid levels, knee pain, and functional ability of patients with obesity and knee pain.[Methods] Fourteen patients with obesity and knee pain were randomly assigned to a control group (CON; n = 7) that performed lower-extremity strength exercises and an experimental group (EXP; n = 7) that performed lower-extremity strength exercises combined with WB-EMS. All participants performed the exercise program three days a week for 12 weeks. The WBEMS current strength of the combined treatment was set to a subjective maximum endogenous strength level of 2,500–5000 Hz (medium frequency).[Results] The CON and EXP groups showed similar improvements in body composition, blood lipid levels, Kellgren-Lawrence grading system, and functional ability. However, the Kujala patellofemoral score and isokinetic peak power of the quadriceps femoris improved more in the EXP group than in the CON group.[Conclusion] The 12-week combined treatment intervention of WB-EMS and lower-extremity strength training applied in this study effectively improved pain and knee extension muscle strength in patients with obesity and knee pain.