Effect of Electromyostimulation on Bone

• Bone Mineral Density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck region [ Time Frame: baseline - after 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Bone Mineral Density as assessed by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
• Falls [ Time Frame: throughout the 12 month study period ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Fall frequency and fall related injuries as assessed by the calendar method

• maximum strength (trunk and leg extension, grip strength) [ Time Frame: baseline - after 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Pain frequency and magnitude at various skeletal sites (including low back pain) [ Time Frame: baseline - after 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  as assessed by questionnaires

Although there is some evidence that whole body electromyostimulation(WB-EMS) affect bone via its acute and longitudinal effects on muscle mass and strength, the corresponding impact on bone density and falls in older adults has not been assessed yet. The investigators hypothesize that WB-EMS significantly affects bone parameters as assessed by DXA, and significantly reduce fall rate and ratio in a cohort of frail elderly women.

• Osteopenia
• Sarcopenia
• Falls

• Other: wellness control group.
  Light physical exercise and relaxation program once a week in blocks of 10 weeks with breaks of 10 weeks between the blocks. The low-intensity, low-volume program was designed to avoid impact on our endpoints.
  Other Name: functional gymnastic, flexibility, relaxation.
• Device: whole-body electromyostimulation
  3 sessions of 18 min/14 (1,5 x week)days over 12 months. 10 low-intensity/low amplitude exercises with electromyostimulation equipment with 85 Hz with periods of 6 sec of current and 4 sec of rest.
  Other Names:

  • Electromusclestimulation, electrostimulation
  • Miha-bodytec

• Active Comparator: whole-body electromyostimulation
  20 min of whole-body electromyostimulation with sequences of 6 sec of current and 4 sec at 85 Hz performed during low-intensity/low amplitude movements. 3 sessions / 14 days for 12 months
  Intervention: Device: whole-body electromyostimulation
• Placebo Comparator: wellness control group
  Low intensity, low frequency exercise that focus on well being. 1 session/week for 10 weeks. 10 blocks of exercise with intermittent periods of 100 weeks of rest
  Intervention: Other: wellness control group.

• Kemmler W, Schliffka R, Mayhew JL, von Stengel S. Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and maximum strength in postmenopausal women: the Training and ElectroStimulation Trial. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Jul;24(7):1880-7.
• Kemmler W, von Stengel S, Engelke K, Häberle L, Kalender WA. Exercise effects on bone mineral density, falls, coronary risk factors, and health care costs in older women: the randomized controlled senior fitness and prevention (SEFIP) study. Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25;170(2):179-85.
• von Stengel S, Kemmler W, Engelke K, Kalender WA. Effects of whole body vibration on bone mineral density and falls: results of the randomized controlled ELVIS study with postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2011 Jan;22(1):317-25. Epub 2010 Mar 20.

Inclusion Criteria:

• female gender
• 70 years and older
• osteopenia according to WHO
• BMI < 24 kg/m2
• living independently in the area of Erlangen-Nurnberg

Exclusion Criteria:

• medication or diseases affecting bone metabolism (including HRT)
• > 1 hour/week of exercise
• epilepsy, grave neurologic disturbances,
• cardiac pacemaker, grave circulatory disorders,
• abdomen/groin hernia,
• tuberculosis,
• cancer,
• inflammable diseases,
• bleeding tendencies,

• City of Erlangen
• Behinderten und Rehabilitations-Sportverband Bayern
• Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences