EMS Combined With Resistance Training in Weight Lifters

March 16, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Combined With Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Strength, Body Composition, and Power in Weight Lifters

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) combined with resistance training on muscle mass, muscular strength, body composition, and power in trained weightlifters. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving resistance training alone and the other receiving EMS combined with resistance training. The intervention will be conducted for eight weeks, and outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post-intervention (8 weeks). The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the additional benefits of EMS when combined with conventional resistance training programs in enhancing muscular performance among trained athletes.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Resistance training is widely used to improve muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in athletes. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has recently gained attention as an adjunctive modality that may enhance neuromuscular activation and training adaptations when applied during exercise. EMS delivers electrical impulses to skeletal muscles through surface electrodes, which may recruit additional motor units and improve muscular performance outcomes.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMS when combined with resistance training in comparison to resistance training alone in trained male weightlifters. Participants will undergo an eight-week intervention consisting of supervised training sessions three times per week. Outcome measures related to muscle mass, strength, body composition, and power will be recorded at baseline, at four weeks, and at eight weeks.

The study findings may provide insight into the practical application of EMS in sports training and rehabilitation settings and its role in improving muscular performance outcomes in trained individuals.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

34

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 547000
        • Recruiting
        • Punjab Sports Board
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Aifa Zeenat, MS*

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male participants aged 18-40 years
  • Resistance training ≥3 times/week for at least 1 year
  • Active participation in weightlifting, bodybuilding, or strength athletics
  • Medically cleared for physical activity

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Cardiac pacemaker or implantable electronic device
  • Recent musculoskeletal injury (within the last 6 months)
  • Skin sensitivity or allergy to EMS electrodes

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: EMS + Resistance Training

Participants will receive supervised resistance training combined with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS).

EMS Parameters:

Frequency: 85 Hz Pulse Duration: 400 µs Duty Cycle: 10 seconds ON / 50 seconds OFF Duration: 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks

EMS will be applied over major muscle groups during compound resistance exercises.
Other: EMS + Resistance Training

This group will combine the benefits of both EMS and Resistance Training to maximize muscle mass, strength, and body composition improvements using both EMS and RT (18). EMS will be applied to muscles using a frequency-specific protocol. EMS treatment according to the parameters defined as frequency (85 Hz), pulse duration (400 1s), and the duty cycle (10s on: 50s off).

Exercises: A complementary schedule of EMS and resistance exercises. Frequency: 3 times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) for 8 weeks.
Active Comparator: Resistance Training Only

Participants will receive supervised resistance training without EMS application.

Training Frequency: 3 sessions per week Duration: 8 weeks
Other: Resistance Training Only

This protocol will emphasize muscle strengthening through resistance training to improve strength and muscle mass through traditional resistance training methods (7).

Exercises: A selection of exercises focusing on muscle mass and strength. Compound exercises (such as squats, deadlifts, bench press) and isolation exercises (such as bicep curls, triceps extensions) Frequency: 3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mid Upper Arm Circumference
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
This measurement helps assess muscle size and mass in the upper arm. It is a simple, non-invasive way to estimate changes in muscle growth
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
Thigh Circumference
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
This measures the circumference of the thigh, another area where muscle growth can be tracked. It gives insights into lower-body muscle mass
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
Skinfold Thickness
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
This refers to the measurement of skinfolds at specific body sites (such as triceps, abdomen, and thigh) using calipers. It provides an estimate of subcutaneous fat and indirectly reflects muscle mass as well
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
30s Sit-to-Stand Test
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
This test measures functional lower-body strength by counting how many times a person can rise from a chair in 30 seconds. It assesses leg strength and endurance
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
Arm Curl Test
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
This evaluates upper-body strength by counting how many bicep curls a person can perform in 30 seconds using a set weight. It focuses on arm muscle endurance and strength
Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
1RM Estimation (One Repetition Maximum)
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
This measures the maximum amount of weight a person can lift in 1 repetition for a given exercise (like squats). Estimating the 1RM helps evaluate maximal strength
Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
Vertical Jump Test (Sayers Equation)
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
This test measures lower-body power by assessing how high an individual can jump from a standing position. The Sayers equation is used to calculate power output from the vertical jump height
Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
Standing Long Jump
Time Frame: Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week
This test assesses lower-body power and strength by measuring how far an individual can jump forward from a standing start
Baseline, 4 Week, 8 Week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Aifa Zeenat, MS*, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 20, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Aifa Zeenat REC/25/0414

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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