Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

WB-EMS Effects on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

This study is investigating a new way to exercise called whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS). As people get older, their muscles can weaken, and many exercise programmes are too hard or take too much time. WB-EMS uses gentle electrical pulses to stimulate muscles, offering a potentially time-saving and joint-friendly alternative, especially for men over 50. While some worry WB-EMS might affect blood pressure, there isn't much research on its long-term effects for people with slightly high blood pressure. This study aims to find out if regular WB-EMS can help lower resting blood pressure and improve other health risks like high cholesterol or being overweight. It also looks at how it improves physical ability.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School

Enrolment target

Start

15 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Hypertension Metabolic Syndrome Hypercholesterolemia Hypertriglyceridemia Overweight and Obesity

What is this study about?

As we get older, usually from about 50 onwards, our muscles naturally start to lose some of their strength, size, and how well they work. Regular exercise can help slow this down or even prevent it. However, for many people, traditional exercise can be difficult, takes a lot of time, or can be hard on the joints, making it tough to stick with.

This study is looking into a different kind of exercise called Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation, or WB-EMS. This technique involves wearing a special suit that sends small electrical pulses to all your major muscle groups. The idea is that it can give you a good workout in less time and be gentler on your joints compared to some other forms of exercise.

Surprisingly, even though WB-EMS could be helpful, there's not much clear information about how it affects people with certain health conditions, especially those in their middle to later years. For example, some doctors have been cautious about people with high blood pressure trying WB-EMS. This study aims to find out if doing WB-EMS regularly over several weeks can actually help men aged 50 to 70 with slightly high blood pressure. It will also check how it affects other important health markers like cholesterol levels, body weight, and overall physical fitness.

Key takeaways

Focuses on a new exercise method (WB-EMS) for men over 50.
Investigates effects on blood pressure and other health risks.
Aims for a time-saving and joint-friendly exercise option.
Specific for men with slightly high blood pressure and overweight/obesity.
No new medications are involved in this study.

Who may be eligible?

This study is particularly looking for men aged 50 to 70 years old. To join, you should have slightly high blood pressure, which doctors call 'Grade 1 hypertension'. This means your top blood pressure number is around 140 or your bottom number is around 90, or both.

You also need to be overweight or have obesity, which means your body mass index (BMI) is above 25.

However, you can't join if you're already taking medication to lower your blood pressure, or if you regularly do resistance exercise (like weightlifting). It's also not suitable if you have certain heart conditions like severe irregular heartbeats or heart failure, a severe type of high blood pressure (very high numbers like 200/110 or more), or other serious health issues that make intense exercise unsafe. If you have a pacemaker or conditions like epilepsy or acute infections, you also won't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a man between 50 and 70 years old?
Do you have slightly high blood pressure (around 140/90 or similar)?
Are you overweight or living with obesity (a BMI over 25)?
Are you NOT currently taking medicine for high blood pressure?
Do you NOT do regular resistance exercise (like weight lifting)?
Do you NOT have serious heart conditions or other serious health issues?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you won't need to take any new medications because of the study. You will likely have regular appointments at a clinic or research centre for assessments and your WB-EMS exercise sessions. These sessions will involve wearing a special vest or suit that targets your muscles with gentle electrical impulses. The study will measure your blood pressure, body weight, and other health markers at the start, during, and at the end of the study period. Your physical fitness will also be checked. This study focuses on a specific exercise method, not drugs. The total duration of your participation will be explained to you by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer several potential benefits. It could help improve your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall fitness through a supervised exercise programme that is gentle on your joints. However, there are some potential risks. Although WB-EMS is generally safe, there could be mild discomfort during the stimulation or, very rarely, other side effects. You will receive a full explanation of these. Remember, joining a study is always voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuebingen
Verified postcode
Erlangen, Germany
Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen
Verified postcode
Erlangen, Germany

Common questions

What is WB-EMS?

WB-EMS stands for Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation. It's an exercise method where you wear a special suit that sends small electrical pulses to your muscles to make them contract.

Is WB-EMS safe for someone with high blood pressure?

That's exactly what this study wants to find out! While some have been cautious, this particular study will look at its long-term safety and effects on men with slightly high blood pressure.

How long will I have to participate in the study?

The study will involve several weeks of WB-EMS training. The exact duration will be explained to you by the study team if you are eligible.

Will I have to take new medicine if I join?

No, this study is about exercise, not medication. You should not be taking blood pressure-lowering medication to join this particular study.

What kind of benefits might I see?

The study aims to see if WB-EMS can help lower your resting blood pressure, improve your cholesterol, help with weight management, and boost your overall physical ability.