Connect with us

Health and Wellness

Can electrical stimulation improve your gym workout?

Whole-body EMS suits are the new big thing in fitness, but do they work?

Whole-body EMS suits, which are becoming increasingly popular in the fitness world, claim to offer a range of benefits. But do they actually work?

 

Image source, Lebby Eyres

The first time that long-distance rower Lebby Eyres tried exercising in the gym while wearing a whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suit, she says “it felt strange”.

“I got into the suit, and then trainers sprayed me with water, and strapped these things around my arms, legs and glutes (buttocks),” says the 51-year-old. “I thought to myself, ‘am I really going to be able to exercise wearing these?’

“Then the [electrical] stimulus of the machine gave me the most unusual sensations.”

When she woke up the following morning at home in London, Mrs Eyres says her muscles had the level of soreness that she typically got from working out for a few hours, yet she had only exercised for 20 minutes.

EMS has long been used by doctors to help improve the mobility of people with a number of health conditions, such as patients recovering from a stroke, or people with multiple sclerosis.

 

Image source, Getty Images

Using low currents of electricity to stimulate muscles and nerves, it is also often used by mothers during childbirth, in the form of a piece of equipment called a tens machine, to try to alleviate the pain. This sees the woman fix sticky pads to her lower back, and then use a hand-held controller to adjust the level of electrical charge that the pads emit.

While those health usages typically focus on one area of the body, whole-body EMS suits (which typically comprise a short-sleeved top and shorts) are now a fast-growing trend in the fitness and gym world.

The idea is that the electrical stimulation of your muscles speeds up the effect of exercising and strengthening. So you can do a 20-minute workout that is equivalent to one lasting 90 minutes if you weren’t wearing the body suit.

While this might sound fanciful to many of us, the number of gyms offering EMS has been increasing quickly. One such provider, US chain Iron BodyFit, is continuing to expand in Europe after opening more than 100 studios in France over the past five years.

 

Image source, Getty Images

It launched its first UK venue in London last year, and plans a dozen more over the next 12 months. Other chains that focus on EMS, and are expanding in the UK, include Feel Electric and Surge.

Such growth is helping to drive the overall global market for EMS, which one report says will grow by 51% from $122m in 2020 to $184m in 2030.

But does EMS actually work in the fitness sphere? Does it really improve the efficiency of your workout and give you bigger muscles for less effort? And more importantly – is it always safe?

“We are bypassing the brain,” says Phil Horton, UK director for German firm Miha Bodytec, one of the largest manufacturers of EMS body suits. “We can trigger the muscle in a smarter and more efficient way compared to the way the brain would tell the muscle to move.”

 

Image source, Phil Horton

He adds that the small electrical charge more easily reaches deep muscle tissue. Water is often sprayed on the suit to boost conductivity.

The problem for the EMS fitness sector is that studies into whether it works are very mixed, and even those that are positive use a lot of words like “might”, “could”, or “may”.

One report back in 2011 said that the use of EMS “has been acknowledged” to help lead to “significant improvements in strength”. Yet it then immediately added that such changes are “still ambiguous”, “poorly understood” and “require more study”.

An article earlier this year concluded that the jury was still very much out.

 
 

New Tech Economy is a series exploring how technological innovation is set to shape the new emerging economic landscape.

 

Meanwhile, the US Food & Drug Administration, which regulates EMS machines, says that when used for fitness they “may be able to temporarily strengthen, tone or firm a muscle”, but only if accompanied by exercise and dieting.

It also cautions against the use of unregulated devices, as these may cause “shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain”.

Nicola Maffiuletti, a sports science expert at Swiss orthopaedic clinic Schulthess Klinik, has also long been critical of whole-body EMS.

“In particular, whole-body electrical stimulation is extremely difficult to dose properly,” he says, adding that under-dosage means no effect, while over-dosage could cause muscle damage.

“So if we objectively look at the harmful versus beneficial effects of whole-body electrical stimulation, there are no strong arguments in favour of its use.”

Veteran US weightlifter Robert Herbst’s opposition to whole-body EMS is more straightforward. The 64-year-old thinks it simply does not work.

 

Image source, Robert Herbst

“The stress put on your muscles by EMS is insufficient to create the micro-trauma weightlifting creates,” says Mr Herbst, who has won several world and American championships, and still competes.

Yet US exercise physiologist Tom Holland says full-body EMS is useful because it can encourage people to do more exercise. “Squats, lunges, crunches, bicep curls and other traditional exercises are more fun when done through EMS,” he says.

However, he says it is often not cheap, with prices in the US as high as $125 (£110), and those in the UK reaching as much as £130 per 20-minute session.

 

Image source, Atlantic Campaigns

Back in London, Ms Eyres used whole-body EMS to help her train for rowing across the Atlantic in the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. She successfully completed the event, rowing in a boat with three friends.

She says that thanks in part to the use of EMS “my abs are much better now than when I was 21”.

“Everyone complimented me on my much stronger and toned figure.”

 

Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Kroger participates in Food-Related Crisis Conference

Kroger announced its participation last week in the National Convening To Inform the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at Washington D.C.’s Bipartisan Policy Center. The event was designed to bring together critical viewpoints to help find and consider solutions to many of the U.S.’s chronic problems, including those related to hunger, nutrition, and diet. Zero Waste commitment to help create communities free of hunger and waste as well as our Food As Medicine platform that helps people lives healthier lives. We are grateful to the Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition and Health and the Bipartisan Policy Centre for inviting us to join this important conversation. Zero Waste” impact plan, with which Keith Dailey, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer, notes that the company hopes to direct over three billion meals to feed hungry American families by 2025.The event brought together scientists, nonprofits, community organizations, industry representatives, and congressional leaders to discuss strategies to end hunger, improve nutrition, and reduce diet-related chronic disease in the U.S. by 2030. These topics will be discussed at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September.

 

Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

WHO confirms Marburg Disease: Signs to be aware

 WHO confirms Marburg Disease outbreak: Signs you should knowHealth News WHO recently declared Marburg disease an epidemic following its infected many people in central Africa. Here are the facts. What is Marburg disease? Find out more here.  The World Health Organisation has recently declared Marburg disease an epidemic. Nine people died in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa’s first ever outbreak of Marburg disease.

After testing samples from Equatorial Guinea, the global health authority confirmed that the disease was an epidemic. Nearly 200 people were asked to quarantine in order to stop the spread of the disease. There have been previous outbreaks in other parts of Africa such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea, South Africa and Uganda. However, this is the first Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. The disease is highly contagious, so it is important to learn all you can about it. Marburg disease is a bat-borne disease that can spread to people through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and objects.

According to WHO, Marburg disease is similar in appearance to Ebola virus. It is a highly contagious disease with a fatality rate of up to 88 per cent. According to the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Marburg is a rare hemorhagic fever that can cause organ damage and bleeding. It is a zoonotic viral that, along six Ebola viruses, forms the filovirus family. It was first identified in 1967. Symptoms of Marburg disease include fever, diarrhoea and tiredness. The incubation period for the disease is between 2-21 days. Symptoms include:Fever, headaches, myalgia, and nausea. Serious symptoms of Marburg disease. If the disease progresses, it can cause severe symptoms such as:Rash on check, back or stomach Nausea Vomiting Chest pain Sore throat Abdominal pain Diarrhoea. Health authorities may use intravenous fluids or oral rehydration to treat the symptoms of the Marburg virus.

Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Study shows that excessive alcohol intake can increase Covid-19 risk Here are some ways to protect yourself

Study finds that excessive alcohol intake can increase Covid-19 risk How to protect yourself health News Everyone is aware of the side effects that alcohol can have on your health. Did you know that alcohol can make you more susceptible to Covid-19? Drinking too much alcohol can increase your Covid-19 risk. However, alcohol can be dangerous for your health. Although drinking to a reasonable level may not cause harm, excessive amounts of alcohol can have a devastating effect on your health. It can cause problems in your body that you don’t even know about. A new study has shown that excessive alcohol can make you more susceptible to Covid-19.

The side effects of drinking excessive alcohol can make you more susceptible to developing coronavirus disease. This was revealed in a study published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experiment Research. The German study found that excessive drinking can raise levels of the ACE2 enzyme, which is used by coronavirus to enter cells. This increases the chance of contracting the virus through direct exposure. The researchers found that chronic alcohol consumption increases the levels of ACE2 within the lungs of the rats in the study. It was possible that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the lungs. It was possible that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the lungs. Here are some ways to avoid alcohol. You should set a goal. This will help you decide how much alcohol you will drink. It should be within the guidelines.

Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Keep track of your alcohol intake. Once you have decided how much alcohol you will be drinking, it’s a good idea to keep track of how many drinks you consume each day. Apps can be used to track your alcohol intake. This will help you reduce the risk of Covid-19. Ask for help from family members. It can be difficult, so it is worth sharing the process with family members. You need to have a plan in place for cravings. Make a plan. You need to remind yourself of the dangers of alcohol. Find a hobby, talk with loved ones, or exercise. Find the right distraction for you and make it work. Exercise is a great alternative for alcohol.

Many people turn to alcohol to relieve anxiety. However, exercise can also help. Studies also show that exercising can help with anxiety and stress. Avoid alcohol triggers It could be watching the match. What about getting together with your alcoholic friends? Is it loneliness? If you’re with friends who drink alcohol, try saying “No”. If you are feeling lonely, talk to someone. If you are struggling with alcohol cravings, talk to someone about it. If not quit, at least reduce its intake.

 

Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Consuming ultra-processed foods can increase your chance of developing cancer.

Home Health News Consuming ultra-processed food can increase your chance of developing cancer. These foods can increase your chances of developing cancer or other diseases. Consuming ultra-processed foods can increase your chance of developing cancer. Ultra-processed food has always had a bad reputation in the world of nutrition. There are endless studies that show the negative effects of eating highly processed foods. Ultra-processed foods include packaged goods such as bread and ready-to-eat cereals. These foods are high in salt, fat and sugar and can cause health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

A new study also suggests that high-processed foods could increase your risk of developing cancer. People tend to eat more ultra-processed food because they are cheap and come in attractive packaging. Ultra-processed foods include bread, biscuits and breakfast cereals, as well as instant soups, carbonated drinks, instant yogurts, fruit-flavored yogurts and ham. The harmful effects of ultra-processed food are well-known.

The World Health Organisation and United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation have restricted the consumption of ultra processed food. They contain harmful ingredients like added sugar, salt, or saturated fats. They also lack dietary fiber and vitamins that are essential for overall health. Several studies have shown that eating foods high in sugar can lead you to obesity, metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and other conditions. Ultra-processed carbs can cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. A study published in British Medical Journal found that 10 percent more ultra-processed foods could increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disorders, and coronary artery disease. Another study in the same journal found that eating too many processed foods can increase your risk of developing obesity and even cause death.

Unprocessed foods can be replaced with healthier alternatives to reduce your risk of developing unwanted illnesses. It may seem difficult at first but regular consumption of healthy foods can help you stick to healthy eating habits. Keep healthy snacks close by so you don’t feel deprived between meals. Whole grains are rich in fiber which can help reduce your cancer risk. Keep hydrated. We often underestimate the importance of drinking water. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of fluids every day. To increase your nutrient intake, eat more fruits and vegetables. Oatmeal can be substituted for breakfast cereal. Replace processed foods with healthy foods like nuts, salads, and other healthy options. You now know how dangerous processed foods can be. It is time to stop eating unhealthy foods and start eating healthier.

Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Smartphone use can cause vision impairment in women: Are you being cautious?

Home Health News Smartphone use can cause blindness in a woman aged 30 years old. This was recently discovered in Hyderabad. Here are some ways to protect your eyes from vision impairment caused by smartphone use. Smartphone use has led to vision impairment in a woman. How much time do your smartphones consume? Smartphones have become an integral part of people’s daily lives over the past decade. It plays an important role in every day life, from taking photos to managing work. They are very useful, but how much time do you spend on your phone? Worse, you can spend 9-10 hours on your laptop and then look at your phone. Smartphones have many harmful effects.

Smartphones have many negative effects. One example is the Hyderabad woman who was blinded by her smartphone. Manju, a 30-year old woman, was diagnosed with smartphone vision syndrome (SVS) following her use of her phone in the dark for nearly 1.5 years. Dr. Sudhir Kumar shared the tweets. Dr. Sudhir Kumar listed several symptoms, including bright flashes, zigzag patterns and trouble focusing on or seeing certain objects. After further analysis of her past, it was discovered that the disease was caused by her long-term use smartphones. She was not prescribed any medication to relieve her symptoms. Instead, she was advised that she reduce the amount of time she spends on her phone to deal with the condition. Vision impairment can be caused by smartphone use.

After following the advice for a month, she noticed a significant improvement in her condition. “Manju was absolutely fine after a one-month review. Her 18-month vision impairment had disappeared. She now had normal vision and didn’t experience any flashes or floaters of light. Dr. Kumar explained that her night vision loss had also stopped. Numerous studies support this claim. The Annals of Palliative Medicine published a study that found smartphone users are at greater risk of developing near and distant vision loss, ocular surface discomfort, and distance vision loss. Numerous studies, including one published in Journal of Medical Internet Research, have shown that smartphones can cause vision problems in children.

Smartphone use may increase the risk of vision problems in children, such as myopia, asthenopia and ocular surface diseases. Dr. Kumar shared some tips to help people who use smartphones less frequently to avoid severe vision-related symptoms. When using digital screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule. To avoid vision problems, you should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20ft away. To reduce visual and ocular problems, you should set a time limit, especially for children.

 

Continue Reading

Latest News:

Copyright © 2021 The Bold News. Created with love by Univisionz.