Electronic Muscle Stimulation

Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is the concept whereby electric impulses are used to contract muscles. EMS has been used in the field of medicine as therapy for muscle atrophy, as well as in many other conditions <ref name="googleanswers">Google Answers - "Q: Electronic Stomach Muscle Toning"</ref>. There has also been use in the field of personal care (where it is also known as electronic muscle toning) to help tone muscles, decrease body fat, as well as an adjunct to weight training. The efficacy of the devices for these uses has been debated<ref name="googleanswers"/> but a few home devices have survived scientific scrutiny for their advertised uses<ref name="slendertone">Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training on Abdominal Strength, Endurance, and Selected Anthropometric Measures - Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2005)4,66-75 (pdf)</ref>. EMS became popular in salons in the 1970s and home treatment units became increasingly popular during the early 1990s. Since the mid-1990s, wearable units in which EMS circuitry is contained in belt-like garments, neoprene shorts or other clothing items, have caused a significant growth in the EMS market. Most of these units are sold by mail order.