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NCT Number: NCT07787286

EMS vs. Resistance Training in Overweight Women

This study aims to compare the effects of eight weeks of resistance training versus electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on oxidative stress indicators and cellular health index in overweight and obese women aged 35-45 years. Forty-two participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: resistance training, EMS, and control. The resistance training group will perform progressive resistance exercises three times per week for eight weeks. The EMS group will receive electrical muscle stimulation on biceps, abdominal, back, and quadriceps muscles three times per week for eight weeks. The control group will receive no intervention. Oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), glutathione, protein carbonyl (PC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) will be measured from blood samples. Cellular health will be assessed using phase angle (PhA) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance will also be evaluated. All measurements will be taken at baseline and 48 hours after the last training session. The primary outcome is change in phase angle. Secondary outcomes include changes in oxidative stress markers and physical performance.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

35 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand

Birjand, South Khorasan Province, 9717434765, Iran

About this study

This is a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, parallel-group clinical trial with three arms: resistance training, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and control. Forty-two overweight and obese women (BMI 25-35 kg/m², aged 35-45 years) will be randomly assigned to the three groups (n=14 each). Participants must meet the inclusion criteria including no history of cardiovascular disease, no pregnancy or lactation, no use of medications affecting muscle or fat mass, and no recent lower/upper extremity injuries.

Intervention details:

Resistance training group: 8 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 50 minutes each session. Exercises include upper body, back, abdominal, and lower body movements. Training intensity will progress from 60% of 1RM in week 1 to 85% of 1RM in week 8.

EMS group: 8 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 30 minutes each session. EMS will be applied to biceps brachii, abdominals, back, and quadriceps muscles using frequency of 35-70 Hz, pulse duration 100 μs, and pulse period 50 ms. Electrode size: 150 × 240 mm. Intensity will be progressively increased over the 8 weeks.

Control group: No exercise intervention during the study period.

Outcome measurements:

Primary outcome: Phase angle (PhA) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Inbody770).

Secondary outcomes: Serum levels of SOD, GPX, CAT, glutathione, PC, and TAC measured using ELISA kits. Upper body strength (bench press) and lower body strength (squat) measured via 1RM testing. Upper body endurance (push-up test) and lower body endurance (bodyweight squat test) measured in 60-second tests.

Statistical analysis: Data will be analyzed using ANCOVA with pretest scores as covariates. Correlation between phase angle changes and oxidative stress markers will be assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. All analyses will be performed using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy non-menopausal women aged 35 to 45 years

Body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m²

Similar menstrual cycle pattern

No pregnancy or lactation

No continuous medication affecting fat or muscle mass (based on health and fitness questionnaire)

No history of cruciate ligament injury or other upper/lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months

No history of heart attack or acute cardiovascular disease

No use of medications (glucocorticoids, beta-blockers, alcohol) or antioxidant supplements that could interfere with study results

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to complete the intervention program

Absence from more than three consecutive training sessions

Failure to comply with the study protocol

Development of any medical condition during the study period that contraindicates continued participation

Treatment and study plan

Resistance training

Other

Progressive resistance training program including upper body (chest press), back (lat pulldown), abdominal (crunch), and lower body (squat) exercises. Performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Each session includes warm-up (10 min), main exercises (30 min), and cool-down (10 min). Intensity: 60-85% of 1RM, progressing weekly.

Electrical muscle stimulation

Device

Electrical muscle stimulation applied to biceps brachii, abdominals, back, and quadriceps muscles using a commercial EMS device. Parameters: frequency 35-70 Hz, pulse duration 100 μs, pulse period 50 ms, electrode size 150 × 240 mm. Performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks, 15 minutes per session. Intensity progressively increased based on participant tolerance.

No intervention

Other

Participants in the control group receive no exercise intervention during the 8-week study period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Phase Angle (PhA) as a Cellular Health Index

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

    Phase angle (PhA) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Inbody770). PhA is calculated as the ratio of reactance (Xc) to resistance (R) and serves as an indicator of cellular health, membrane integrity, and cell function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Serum Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

    Serum SOD level measured using ELISA kit. SOD is an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radical into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

  2. Change in Upper Body Strength (Bench Press 1RM)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

    Maximum strength of the upper body measured using the bench press 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test.

  3. Change in Lower Body Strength (Squat 1RM)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

    Maximum strength of the lower body measured using the squat 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test.

  4. Change in Upper Body Muscular Endurance (Push-Up Test)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week 8).

    Upper body muscular endurance assessed using the push-up test. The number of correct push-ups performed within 60 seconds is recorded.

  5. Change in Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

    Serum GPX level measured using ELISA kit. GPX is a selenium-containing enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of hydroperoxides.

  6. Change in Serum Catalase (CAT)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

    Serum CAT level measured using ELISA kit. CAT is an enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.

  7. Change in Serum Glutathione (GSH)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

    Serum glutathione level measured using ELISA kit. GSH is a major intracellular antioxidant that protects cells against oxidative damage.

  8. Change in Serum Protein Carbonyl (PC)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

    Serum PC level measured using ELISA kit. PC is a marker of protein oxidation and oxidative damage to proteins.

  9. Change in Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)

    Time frame: Measured at baseline (before intervention) and 48 hours after the last training session (week

    Serum TAC level measured using ELISA kit. TAC reflects the overall capacity of the antioxidant system to neutralize free radicals.

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Birjand University of Medical Sciences

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of the Effect of Eight Weeks of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Versus Resistance Training on Oxidative Stress Indicators and Cellular Health Index in Overweight and Obese Women

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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