Table 3 Characteristics of the studies included in the review with a questionable control group

Wolfgang Kemmler 2015

Determine the increases in CK concentration and its corresponding impact on health parameters and changes in concentration levels throughout training

N = 11

Men trained but without experience in WB-EMS

10 weeks

1 sessions per week

Bipolar 85 Hz duty cycle: 60% 6–4 s On time of pulse 350 μs Impulse rise: 0 sImpulse decay: 0 s

Intensity ≥7 (very hard) RPE-10 Every 3 min increases by 2–3%

Increase of CK after a first WB-EMS session compared with a marathon race

N = 26

Men trained but without experience in WB-EMS Marathoners training level 3 days per week for at least 12 months

Acute effect during 5 days contiguous to the effort

Wolfgang Kemmler 2012

Analyze the energy expenditure added by the use of WB-EMS

N = 19

Active men students 5 to 8 h of exercise a week last 2 years

One session (16 min)

–

Bipolar 85 Hz duty cycle: 50% 4–4 s On time of pulse 350 μs Impulse rise: 0 sImpulse decay: 0 s

Maximum tolerance

Same exercises from Test I of 2010

Miguel Ángel De la Cámara 2018

Evaluation of WB-EMS as a post-exercise recovery method

N = 9

Trained men 21 years

One session 20 min

–

1 Hz duty cycle: 100% On time of pulse 350 μs Impulse rise: No dataImpulse decay: No data

The most comfortable possible

Subjets lay quietly in a supine position