ORIGINAL PAPER
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) promotes muscle hypertrophy, increased maximum strength and strength endurance in untrained adults: a randomised parallel design
1
Graduate Program in Human Movement and Rehabilitation, Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
2
Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Universidade Brasil, Itaquera, São Paulo, Brazil
3
Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry (IPUB), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4
Center of Neuroscience, Neurodiversity Institute, Queimados, Brazil
5
Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PPGCFFT), Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
6
Escuela de Ingeniería de Construcción y Transporte, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
7
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile
8
Faculty of Physical Education and Dance, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Samambaia Campus, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
9
Graduate Program in Environment and Society, State University of Goiás (UEG), Academic Institute of Health and Biological Sciences, Southwest Campus, Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brazil
10
Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-10-28
Acceptance date: 2026-02-06
Online publication date: 2026-06-03
Corresponding author
Alberto Souza Sá Filho
Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Av. Universitária, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Av. Universitária, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Investigate the effects of 8 weeks of PEMF on musclethickness (MT) of the proximal (RF30%) and mid (RF50%) rectus femoris, and mid vastus lateralis (VL50%), as well as on maximal strength (1RM) and strength endurance (60%1RM) in untrained, compared to resistance training (RT).
Methods:
This is a chronic, randomised, and parallel experimental trial. Eighteen untrained individuals (13 women) were randomly assigned to PEMF (n = 10; 22.9 ± 2.4 years) or bilateral leg extension (EXT, n = 8; 23.2 ± 3.9 years), 3×/week (8 weeks) training. PEMF involved 30-min sessions with magnetic flux densities ranging from 2.8 to 7.0 teslas, with applicators placed over the RF and VL. The EXT group completed 3 sets of bilateral knee extensions at 8–12RM with one-minute rest. Assessments included 1RM and 60%1RM unilateral knee extensions and MT via ultrasound on the legs.
Results:
RF30% MT increased post-intervention (p = 0.006), with no group differences (p = 0.570). No changes were found in the left RF30% or RF50% of either leg. An increase in VL50% MT was observed in the left leg (p = 0.032). Wilcoxon revealed 1RM gains in both legs for PEMF (right: p = 0.012; left: p = 0.035) and EXT (right: p = 0.034; left: p = 0.018). There were no differences between groups in 1RM. Both groups also showed improvements in 60%1RM (p = 0.011; p = 0.018), with no between-group differences (p = 0.392; p = 0.858).
Conclusions:
The present study offers preliminary evidence that continuous PEMF application, even in the absence of mechanical overload, can elicit improvements in muscle morphology, maximal strength, and muscular endurance in untrained individuals.
Investigate the effects of 8 weeks of PEMF on musclethickness (MT) of the proximal (RF30%) and mid (RF50%) rectus femoris, and mid vastus lateralis (VL50%), as well as on maximal strength (1RM) and strength endurance (60%1RM) in untrained, compared to resistance training (RT).
Methods:
This is a chronic, randomised, and parallel experimental trial. Eighteen untrained individuals (13 women) were randomly assigned to PEMF (n = 10; 22.9 ± 2.4 years) or bilateral leg extension (EXT, n = 8; 23.2 ± 3.9 years), 3×/week (8 weeks) training. PEMF involved 30-min sessions with magnetic flux densities ranging from 2.8 to 7.0 teslas, with applicators placed over the RF and VL. The EXT group completed 3 sets of bilateral knee extensions at 8–12RM with one-minute rest. Assessments included 1RM and 60%1RM unilateral knee extensions and MT via ultrasound on the legs.
Results:
RF30% MT increased post-intervention (p = 0.006), with no group differences (p = 0.570). No changes were found in the left RF30% or RF50% of either leg. An increase in VL50% MT was observed in the left leg (p = 0.032). Wilcoxon revealed 1RM gains in both legs for PEMF (right: p = 0.012; left: p = 0.035) and EXT (right: p = 0.034; left: p = 0.018). There were no differences between groups in 1RM. Both groups also showed improvements in 60%1RM (p = 0.011; p = 0.018), with no between-group differences (p = 0.392; p = 0.858).
Conclusions:
The present study offers preliminary evidence that continuous PEMF application, even in the absence of mechanical overload, can elicit improvements in muscle morphology, maximal strength, and muscular endurance in untrained individuals.
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