First scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U./SCHÄFFER, G., 2002)

Aim of the study:
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of EMS training on urinary incontinence.

Conclusion:
The BodyTransformer is an all-round training device which trains a large part of the muscles effectively. At the same time, therapeutic goals such as alleviating incontinence and back pain (see the study for reducing back pain with EMS training, BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U. / GRÜTZMACHER, N. / SEBELEFSKY, J., 2002) and preventative goals such as muscle building, body shaping, improvement in mood, vitality, body stability, and general performance can be reached. In this study, more than half of the patients suffering from incontinence achieved either complete freedom or a significant improvement of symptoms.

Second scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U./ GRÜTZMACHER, N. / SEBELEFSKY, J., 2002).

Aim of the study:
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of EMS training with the BodyTransformer on back pain.

Conclusion:
EMS training with the BodyTransformer is a highly effective method to combat the widespread phenomenon of back pain. The current can potentially even target the deep-lying muscles which are hard to target by conventional treatment. The specific EMS training is a time-saving and very effective all-round training with far-reaching positive health effects, reaching therapeutic as well as preventative goals.

Third scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U. / TREU, S., 2002).

Aim of the study:
The aim of the study was to compare the training effects of conventional strength training, maxxF training and EMS training with the BodyTransformer.

Conclusion:
Electric muscle stimulation training with the BodyTransformer activates a large part of the muscles intensely. In this study, EMS promoted body shaping (muscle building and thus increasing basal metabolic rate) and also reached therapeutic goals such as alleviating back pain and incontinence (see two studies by the University of Bayreuth 2002) in a short timeframe of only 30 minutes per training session. The very low strength gain by EMS training in this study could possibly be improved by shorter contraction times, as later studies suggest.

Sixth scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U. / VATTER, J., 2003).

Aim of the study:
The aim of this study was to find out whether in a field trial, an electrically stimulated whole body workout with the BodyTransformer would lead to measurable positive changes in terms of strength, anthropometric measurements, body feel, mood, general health factors, back pain and incontinence.

Conclusion:
EMS training with the BodyTransformer is a highly effective method for combatting the widespread phenomenon of back pain and urinary incontinence – which is often a taboo issue in society. The current apparently even reaches deep-lying muscles which are hard to target by conventional treatment. The training with the BodyTransformer leads to astonishing improvements with regards to strength and body shaping. Depending on their individual goals, women as well as men can benefit from hypertrophy or tissue tightening effects. Moreover, a positive mood management can be achieved. The BodyTransformer training is a time-saving and highly effective all-round training with far-reaching positive health effects, making it possible to reach almost any preventative muscular goals.

Seventh scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (BOECKH-BEHRENS, W.-U. / BENGEL, M., 2005).

Aim of the study:
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different rest times during EMS training on the strength effects. Furthermore, the effects of EMS training on the enzyme creatine kinase were measured.

Conclusion:
The shorter training duration of 15 minutes led to considerable increases in strength compared to previous studies involving longer durations equivalent to conventional strength training with machines. Different rest times of 4 and 10 seconds respectively did not show significant differences in strength gain. The high increase of the creatine kinase (CK) values after the BodyTransformer training indicates a very high training intensity and causes approx. 40% more exertion of the muscles compared to intensive conventional strength training with machines. The short training duration of around 15 minutes seems to be appropriate given a training frequency of twice a week. Further research on this topic is suggested.

Eighth scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (Boeckh-Behrens, W.-U. / Erd, J., 2005)

Conclusion:
This study shows that neither electromyography nor measuring with an oscilloscope are suitable methods to record muscle tension during EMS training. The electric interference voltages of the muscles and the EMS current do not allow for a meaningful measurement. The subjective sense of contraction, however, has proven a useful addition to the available measurement methods. In this study, based on the subjective measurement, conclusions with regard to interference currents could be drawn and the contraction intensity of various muscles could be recorded. These findings are an important base for further study. The low cardiac and lactic load of EMS training could contribute to tapping new target groups for EMS training. A targeted use in healthcare and geriatric care should be considered. There is still need for scientific information with respect to the effects of the electric current on the human body. The results have shown the distribution of the current on the whole body during training with the BodyTransformer. Possible contraindications should be clarified.

Ninth scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (Boeckh-Behrens, W.-U./Mainka, D. 2006).

Aim of the study:
The general research subject was: “Is training with the BodyTransformer (Electromyostimulation training) with a training duration of only 10 or 15 minutes still effective on strength? A study on the influence of training duration on strength effects.” Furthermore, the effects of EMS training on the enzyme creatine kinase as well as anthropometric measurements and subjectively perceived parameters were investigated.

Conclusion:
The significantly shortened training duration of 5 and 10 minutes respectively did not achieve any more increases in strength compared to Bengel’s study (2005) – quite the opposite, some of the values were considerably lower compared to a training duration of 15 minutes. Based on the available findings, a training duration of 15 minutes can be seen as ideal for strength gain. The large increase in creatine kinase levels after training with the Body Transformer again suggests an intense muscular load. Shortening the training duration, however, does not significantly impair the activity of the enzyme creatine kinase. The intensity of the current seems to play a more important role in increasing creatine kinase.

Tenth scientific study at the institute for sports science at the University of Bayreuth (Boeckh-Behrens, W.-U./Mainka, J. 2006).

Research subject:
The general research subject of this study was: “Which influence does targeted supplementation have on the effects of electromyostimulation training with the Body Transformer?” This should include a measurement of the effects of EMS training on the strength effects, the enzyme creatine kinase as well as on anthropometric measurements.

Conclusion:
Dietary supplements which do not lead to a high-caloric diet do not have any influence on the strength effects of EMS training with the Body Transformer. Further studies need to be undertaken to clarify whether better results can be achieved if the supplementation is more intense and therefore leads to a high-caloric diet. It can be noted that taking supplements at the right point in time can lead to lower CK values. It is therefore possible to reduce a potentially negative side effect of EMS training.