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Imagine supercharging your workout routine wiht a little electric boost. New research suggests that combining resistance training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can considerably enhance muscle mass and strength compared to traditional weightlifting alone.
This groundbreaking study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, analyzed 13 different studies involving a total of 374 participants. The results? A compelling case for adding a jolt to your gym sessions.
Here’s the science behind it: NMES devices, wich are affordable and easy to use, deliver external electrical currents to your nerves, causing your muscles to contract without direct input from your brain. “think of it as though your muscles are contracting involuntarily,” explains Sudip Bajpeyi,a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at The university of Texas at El Paso and co-author of the study.
Resistance training is the gold standard for building muscle, while NMES is typically used in therapy and rehabilitation to prevent muscle atrophy. The researchers hypothesized that combining the two could yield even better results—and thay were right. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically notable boost in both strength and muscle mass when NMES was paired with resistance training.
One of the key benefits? NMES can activate parts of your muscles that you might not fully engage during traditional weightlifting. This is why the “mind-muscle connection” is so crucial in weightlifting—it takes focus and discipline to effectively target specific muscles. NMES essentially shortcuts this process.
Though, there’s a catch. None of the studies in the analysis controlled for participants’ diets, which is a significant oversight. As any fitness enthusiast will tell you, adequate calorie and protein intake are essential for muscle growth.So, while NMES could be a game-changer for experienced lifters, beginners might be better off focusing on mastering their form and nutrition first.
If you’re curious about other unconventional fitness hacks, check out blood flow restriction training, another method that’s gaining traction in the fitness world.
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