What this means
This trial plans to compare four groups over 16 weeks. It has not started recruiting, so no results exist yet. It will show whether these methods change body makeup and strength, but not yet.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the registry listing.
- Status
- Opening soon
- Who can join
- Ages 60 and over · 36 inactive older adults aged 60 or over with overweight or obesity
- Where
- 1 site
The science
- Registered title
- WB-EMS Combined With Nutritional Guidance for a High-Protein Diet on Body Composition, Muscle Function, Psychological and Functional Outcomes in Older Adults With Excess Adiposity
- Trial ID
- NCT07859072 ↗
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Study type
- interventional
- Conditions
- Overweight (BMI > 25), Obesity & Overweight, Aging
- What is tested
- Whole-Body Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (WB-NMES), Conventional Resistance Training, High-Protein Nutritional Guidance, Normoproteic Nutritional Guidance
- Sponsor
- Universidade Cesumar (UNICESUMAR)
- Ages
- 60 Years to no maximum
- Dates
- First posted Oct 5, 2026 · updated Oct 5, 2026
Registry summary
This is a 16-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) with outcome assessor blinding. The objective is to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) combined with whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation (WB-NMES) and a high-protein diet on body composition, anthropometry, and quality of life.
Sample and Group Allocation
The sample will comprise 36 older adults (≥ 60 years), physically inactive, and with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). They will be randomized (stratified by sex) into four groups of 9 participants:
RT + NOR: Resistance training + normal-protein diet.
RT + PRO: Resistance training + high-protein diet.
WB-NMES + RT + NOR: Resistance training with electrical stimulation + normal-protein diet.
WB-NMES + RT + PRO: Resistance training with electrical stimulation + high-protein diet.
Intervention Protocol
Exercise (2x/week, 25 min/session): Seven exercises (2 sets of 1 min execution with 45s of rest). Progressive intensity controlled by the OMNI-RPE Scale.
Electrical Stimulation (WB-NMES Groups): Simultaneous use of an electrode suit (85 Hz, 400 µs pulse width, 5s on/5s off duty cycle), with intensity capped at a maximum of 5/10 on the pain/discomfort Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Nutrition (In-person + Remote): High-protein (PRO) groups will focus on an intake of 1.2 to 1.5 g of protein/kg/day. Normal-protein (NOR) groups will receive general healthy eating guidelines, without encouraging an increase in protein intake.
Assessments and Outcomes (Conducted at T0 and T16)
Body Composition and Anthropometry: Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (InBody 570) and circumference measurements following ISAK guidelines.
Physical and Functional Performance:
Handgrip strength (dynamometry).
Muscular endurance (30-second chair stand and arm curl tests).
Upper limb power (2 kg medicine ball throw).
Aerobic endurance (6-Minute Walk Test).
Mobility and fall risk (Timed Up and Go - TUG).
Questionnaires and Scales:
Self-reported functional disability (WHODAS 2.0).
Basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNES).
Motivational regulation in exercise (BREQ-3).
Quality of life specific for older adults (WHOQOL-OLD).
Adherence: Minimum attendance goal of 75% for the sessions.
Statistical Analysis The analysis will follow the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. Data will be analyzed using Linear Mixed Models for Repeated Measures (fixed factors: Group and Time), followed by Tukey's post-hoc test, adopting a significance level of $p \< 0.05$.
Sites (1)
- UniCesumar - Centro Universitário Cesumar, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil