What Is Electronic Muscle Stimulation?
Posted by Admin in Diet & Fitness, tags: electronic muscle stimulation, fda, flex belt, muscle stimulators
Electronic muscle stimulation has been around for decades. It was probably made popular by Bruce Lee, although I can’t confirm that he was the catalyst. His usage was referenced in the movie, Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story. If you haven’t seen it, here is a clip of that movie:
For a more technical explanation of what electronic muscle stimulation does, here is how Wikipedia defines it:
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. EMS has received increasing attention in the last few years, because it has the potential to serve as: a strength training tool for healthy subjects and athletes; a rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially- or totally immobilized patients a testing tool for evaluating the neural and/or muscular function in vivo; a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes. The impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes on the skin in direct proximity to the muscles to be stimulated. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. The electrodes are generally pads that adhere to the skin. EMS is cited by renown sport scientists as complementary technique for sport training, and published research is available. on the results obtained. In the United States, EMS devices are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has very strict guidelines concerning how muscle stimulators are regulated and marketed. On it’s FAQ page, the mention why they list these withing their jurisdiction:
Q. Why does FDA regulate electrical muscle stimulators?
A. Electrical muscle stimulators are considered devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under this law and the agency’s regulations, the FDA is responsible for regulating the sale of all electrical muscle stimulators in the United States. Therefore, firms must comply with appropriate FDA premarket regulatory requirements before they can legally sell their stimulators. Most electrical muscle stimulators (EMS devices) that have been reviewed by FDA are intended for use in physical therapy and rehabilitation under the direction of a health care professional. If a company wants to sell EMS devices directly to consumers, the company needs to show FDA it can be used safely and effectively in that setting.
There have only been a few stimulators that have passed FDA muster. One of them is the Flex Belt.
Tell me, have you used electronic muscle stimulators before? What was your experience?
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