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Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation for Older Adults

This study is looking at how Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise affects muscle activation in older adults. WB-EMS uses a special device with electrodes to stimulate muscles during exercise. Researchers want to see if this type of exercise can improve how your nerves activate your muscles, which often decreases with age, and if it can also improve your physical abilities. You might be able to join if you are 65 or older and healthy, or between 18-39 and healthy. To be successful, the study hopes to show that WB-EMS exercise can improve muscle activation. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 12 participants. It is a pilot study, meaning it's an early look at the effects of the intervention.
What's involved
Participants will receive WB-EMS exercise twice a week for four weeks. You will undergo clinical and electrical tests before starting and after finishing the exercise program.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements will be taken within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention.

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NCT06689618

Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Spinal Motoneuronal Activation in Older Adults

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Missouri-Columbia
~12 participants
Updated 2026-02-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean change from baseline in motor unit firing rates of the vastus lateralis using decomposition electromyography (dEMG)
Measured over Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Aging
Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia in Elderly

Explore related trials

Sarcopenia

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Missouri1

Who to contact

Kristina Kelly, DPT, MS
[email protected]
5738842596
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age (65 years or older) for healthy older adults and between 18-39 for healthy younger adults
Ambulatory without an assistive device
More than anti-gravity strength in major muscle groups as assessed by manual muscle testing
Medical clearance to participate in an exercise program
Ability to conform to the requirements of the study (i.e. attendance at assessment and intervention visits, maintain current level of non-study physical activity for the duration of the study, no intention to relocate mid-study)

Exclusion

Regular use of an assistive device for mobility (i.e. cane, walker, wheelchair)
Presence of a pacemaker, metal implants, or other implanted medical devices that could impact participant safety during WB-EMS intervention
Known pregnancy at the time of screening
Presence of unstable acute or chronic disease (i.e. renal failure, rheumatologic disease cardia arrhythmia, neoplasm, uncontrolled hypertension)
Presence of terminal disease (i.e. receiving hospice services)
Current of previous use of any drugs known to influence muscle mass or performance within 6 months; these may include but are not limited to anabolic steroids, IGF01, growth hormone, replacement and androgen therapy, anti-androgen therapy.
Known neuromuscular or neurologic condition affecting somatosensory or motor function/control (i.e. motor neuron disease, muscle disease, severe peripheral neuropathy, NMJ disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, h/o stroke, TBI, SCI, ataxia, apraxia, hemiplegia, etc.)
Musculoskeletal condition or surgery in the past year that would confound results of exercise interventions (i.e. TKA, THA, RTC repair, spinal fusion)
Other medical conditions, signs, or symptoms that would interfere with study conduct or interpretation of results as determined by a PI

What this trial measures

  • Mean change from baseline in motor unit firing rates of the vastus lateralis using decomposition electromyography (dEMG)Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention

    Decomposition electromyography (dEMG) is a measurement of motor unit activity; a surface electrode will be placed over the vastus lateralis in the thigh and participants will be asked to activate that muscle.

  • Mean change from baseline in central activation ratio of the vastus lateralis using interpolated twitch technique (ITT)Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention

    The central activation ratio (CAR) is a representation of how completely a person can voluntarily access their maximum force production capacity. Surface electrodes will be placed over the vastus lateralis in the thigh and participants will be asked to activate that muscle.