Wolfgang Kemmler

Wolfgang Kemmler
Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg | FAU · Faculty of Medicine

Professor PhD

About

406
Publications
137,412
Reads
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8,497
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Introduction
Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kemmler is head of Osteoporosis Research at the Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen and Research Director at the Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. His research activities predominately focus on clinical studies in the field of "exercise training, alternative training technologies and health risk factors" under specific consideration of muscle and bone.
Additional affiliations
November 1998 - present
Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
Position
  • Research Director
January 1993 - September 1997
University of Bayreuth
Position
  • Researcher

Publications

Publications (406)
Chapter
Nicht nur im Sport und im Gesundheitswesen, sondern in nahezu allen Wissenschaftsdisziplinen mit diagnostischen Zugängen wie Psychologie, Bildungswissenschaft, Soziologie etc. ist die Evaluation und das Monitoring von individuellen und kollektiven (Leistungs-)veränderungen im Rahmen von Querschnitts-, Längsschnitt- und Veränderungsmessungen über me...
Book
Im Sport und im Gesundheitswesen sind Normen, Normwerte und Normwertbezüge wesentlich, wenn es darum geht, Informationen zu sportlichen, physiologischen, psychologischen und/oder gesundheitlichen Kenngrößen qualitativ und quantitativ einzuschätzen. Einfache und etablierte Verfahren und Methoden zu deskriptiven, graphischen und numerischen Normwertd...
Chapter
Neben der Normdefinition, der Normbezugsfestlegung sowie der deskriptiven, graphischen und numerischen Einschätzung von Individualveränderungen und/oder Benchmarkvergleichen (Ranking) ist es von zentraler Bedeutung, inwieweit das Resultat einerseits von statistischer Signifikanz ist und andererseits praktische oder klinische Relevanz besitzt (Mohaj...
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Full-text available
In the present work, we aimed to determine the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors in people at moderate-to-high cardiometabolic risk. The present meta-analysis is based on a systematic literature search of a recent evidence map, which searched five electronic...
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Full-text available
A Commentary on Commentary: Revised contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Evidence-based German consensus recommendations By Reljic D, Herrmann HJ and Zopf Y (2024). Front Sports Act Living. 6:1425233. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1425233
Chapter
Die Trainingswissenschaft ist aus der Trainingslehre sowie aus Handlungsanleitungen erfolgreicher Trainer entstanden. Die zentralen Gegenstandsbereiche adressieren auf das motorische Training, die Leistungsfähigkeit, den Wettkampf sowie die Leistungsdiagnostik. Die Adressatengruppen reichen vom Freizeit-, Breiten-, Spitzensport bis zum Gesundheitss...
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Full-text available
In a randomized, controlled study, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was investigated as a promising alternative treatment technique compared to conventional strength training for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Seventy-two overweight participants with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to WB-EMS (n = 36) or a usual care...
Chapter
Falls are the leading cause of injury, hospitalization, and accidental death in older people. Many studies provide considerable evidence that the majority of health-related aspects of fall risk can be positively affected by physical activity or, even better, dedicated exercise interventions. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based fall technology is the...
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Full-text available
The aim of this study was to evaluate prediction equations to estimate 1RM in different exercises in older men and women with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Forty well-trained older women and men (73 ± 8 years) with osteopenia/osteoporosis performed 1RM dynamic and isometric maximum strength tests on resistance devices. In addition, each participant perf...
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Introduction: Due to its time-effective, joint friendly and highly customizable character whole-body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is regarded as a feasible solution for a large variety of training issues. Not least for this reason WB-EMS research has increased considerably during the last few years. To identify gaps in research and summarize prev...
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Competitive climbers engage in highly structured training regimens to achieve peak performance levels, with efficient time management as a critical aspect. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training can close the gap between time-efficient conditioning training and achieving optimal prerequisites for peak climbing-specific performances. T...
Preprint
Full-text available
Whole body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is frequently presented as a safe and attractive training technology, however evidence for this description is vague. Thus, the present study aimed to provide an overview of different aspects related to safety and attractiveness of WB-EMS in non-athletic cohorts. A systematic review of the literature accord...
Article
Whole-body electromyostimulation training (WB-EMS) has gained increasing popularity as a training method in recent years. This brief review aims to summarize the potential benefits and risks of WB-EMS in many different populations and purposes. The findings of this review suggest that WB-EMS is particularly effective for improving muscle mass and s...
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Full-text available
Der Beitrag umfasst unter anderem die Vor- und Nachteile der KI-Nutzung in Lehre, Forschung und wissenschaftlicher Qualifikation, wobei ethische, datenschutzrechtliche und methodische Aspekte herausgestellt werden. Schließlich werden Implikationen für den wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs aufgezeigt, indem die Notwendigkeit einer kritischen Auseinanders...
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Introduction: We determined the effectiveness and safety of INNORYOS 2.2% hyaluronic acid (HA) containing 15mg of niacinamide on knee pain, stiffness and function in people with knee OA compared with an established agent. Further study objectives were to monitor side effects during the study period. Methods: The 26-week prospective non-intervention...
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Full-text available
The present systematic review determined the effects of physical activity/exercise added to Denosumab, Romosozumab, Abaloparatide or Teriparatide-therapy on bone strength and fall incidence in middle-aged and older people with osteopenia/osteoporosis. A systematic literature search of five electronic databases and two registers (up to 30/05/2023) w...
Article
Evidence of an anti-inflammatory effect of WB-EMS is growing. However, applying comparable impulse-protocols, studies reporting positive effects on inflammatory markers, possibly including adipokines, used high volume, superimposed WB-EMS protocols that differ from the time-efficient, non-superimposed concepts mainly used in scientific and commerci...
Book
This essential is intended as a compact reference for issues and aspects related to the innovative training technology of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS). In addition to background and information on WB-EMS application, in which the authors pay particular attention to safe and effective use, there is a current overview of research results...
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Full-text available
Whole-body electromyostimulation has proven to be a highly effective alternative to conventional resistance-type exercise training. However, due to adverse effects in the past, very extensive contraindications have been put in place for the commercial, non-medical WB-EMS market. Considering recent positive innovations e.g., federal regulation, mand...
Chapter
As already noted, the term “muscle stimulation” is a misleading one in that the threshold for exciting motor nerves is significantly lower than that of the muscle in question. In WB-(N)EMS, the superficially applied impulse first stimulates the nerve which then causes muscle contraction via the alpha motoneurons and the motor end plates.
Chapter
Health-related parameters are key outcomes of many WB-EMS trials (Le et al. 2024). In parallel, many studies focus on participants with diseases, conditions or other health related limitations (Beier et al. 2024). Considering the joint-friendly, time efficient, highly customizable and rigorously supervised setting of WB-EMS, WB-EMS might be one of...
Chapter
Due to the absence of high intensity, voluntary exercise, WB-EMS in general displays a lower orthopedic risk compared to similarly effective high intensity resistance (HIT-RT) exercise (Kemmler, Kohl et al. 2016; Kemmler, Teschler et al. 2016). However, the unique ability of WB-EMS technique to stimulate large areas of the body (up to 2800 cm2) inv...
Chapter
WB-EMS technology has its roots in Germany. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look at the German WB-EMS market to derive projections for the emergence of WB-EMS on international markets. In 2000, the world's first WB-EMS training device, the “Bodytransformer”, was developed and launched. In 2002, the German Sport University Cologne conducted the first...
Article
Abstract Introduction: Recent clinical studies confirmed that whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training is a safe and time-efficient therapeutic method for patients with nonspecific chronic back pain (NSCBP). However, significant variations in initial pain intensity among subjects in these studies have been observed. This study aims to det...
Preprint
Full-text available
In a randomized, controlled study, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was investigated as a promising alternative to conventional strength training for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). 72 overweight participants with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to WB-EMS (n = 36) or a usual care control group (CG, n = 36). For seven...
Article
Full-text available
Hypertension is a frequent condition in untrained middle-aged to older adults, who form the core group of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) applicants. So far, the acute effects of varying impulse intensities on blood pressure responses have not been evaluated in normo- and hypertensive people. Thirteen hypertensive and twelve normotensive...
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Full-text available
Background Osteosarcopenia is a common geriatric syndrome with an increasing prevalence with age, leading to secondary diseases and complex consequences such as falls and fractures, as well as higher mortality and frailty rates. There is a great need for prevention and treatment strategies. Methods In this analysis, we used magnetic resonance imag...
Article
Full-text available
Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) can be considered as a time-efficient, joint-friendly, and highly customizable training technology that attracts a wide range of users. The present evidence map aims to provide an overview of different non-athletic cohorts addressed in WB-EMS research. Based on a comprehensive systematic search according to...
Preprint
Full-text available
Physical exercise favorably affects visceral adipose tissue (VAT) which is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. However, many people are unable or unwilling to conduct frequent and intensive exercise programs that have favorable effects on VAT. The present study aimed to determine the effect of the time-efficient and joint-friendly whole-bod...
Book
• Evidenzen zur Relevanz körperlichen Trainings auf die Frakturprophylaxe • Strategien der Frakturprophylaxe durch körperliches Training • Handlungsempfehlungen für ein körperliches Training zur Frakturprophylaxe • Kontraindikationen und Vorsichtsmaßnahmen eines körperlichen Trainings zur Frakturprophylaxe • Settings und Bewegungsangebote im Spannu...
Preprint
Full-text available
Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) can be considered as a time-efficient, joint-friendly and highly customizable training technology that attracts a wide range of users. The present evidence map aimed to provide an overview of different non-athletic cohorts addressed by WB-EMS research. Based on a comprehensive systematic search according to...
Article
Assessing bone’s response to physical activity interventions is challenging. This randomized controlled trial investigates if changes in bone turnover markers can offer an early evaluation of a physical activity intervention’s effectiveness in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women. Participants in the intervention group ( n =...
Article
Zusammenfassung Stürze sind der wichtigste Risikofaktor für Frakturen im Alter. Epidemiologische Studien haben viele Risikofaktoren für Stürze identifiziert, die durch strukturiertes körperliches Training beeinflussbar sind. Dieser Artikel beschreibt die Evidenz zu Inhalten, Methoden und Belastungsdosierung eines körperlichen Trainings zur Vermeidu...
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Full-text available
Lifelong fitness training plays an essential role in building and maintaining health. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a time-efficient training method that could be used as an adequate training intervention for different persons due to the intensive, involuntary contraction of the musculature and the resulting increases in muscular per...
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Full-text available
Exercise is a recognized component in the prevention and therapy of osteoporosis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of Vitamin D (Vit-D) added to exercise versus exercise alone on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS) or hip in older adults. A systematic review based on six literature databa...
Article
Zusammenfassung Die Definition von relevanten Trainingszielen und deren weitgehend individualisierte Allokation zu Gruppen unterschiedlicher Anforderungen sollte der erste Schritt einer jeden Trainingsstrategie zur optimierten Trainingsplanung und sicheren Trainingsdurchführung sein. Die Festlegung der Trainingsziele im Bereich der Frakturprophylax...
Article
Zusammenfassung Trainingsprotokolle zur Frakturprophylaxe müssen eine Vielzahl von trainingswissenschaftlichen, logistischen und finanziellen Rahmenbedingungen berücksichtigen, um die erwünschte Effektivität und Anwendbarkeit im Einzel- oder Gruppentraining zu gewährleisten. Basierend auf dem individuellen Risikoprofil ist eine Zuordnung von dedizi...
Article
Zusammenfassung Trainingsprinzipien werden als konkrete und leitende Handlungsanweisung für ein körperliches Training angesehen und beziehen sich auf alle übergeordeten Aspekte des Trainings weitestgehend unabhängig von der fokussierten Zielgröße. Relevanz für Gresundheits- und Rehabilitationssport haben primär Prinzipien zur Auslösung und Sicherun...
Article
Zusammenfassung „Trainingsinhalte“ sind „konkrete Maßnahmen zur Realisierung des/der geplanten Trainingsziel(e)s“. Im Bereich der Forschung am Knochen bietet sich eine Einteilung der Trainingsinhalte (oder Belastungstypen) in mechanisch lokale wie axiale Belastung, Muskelzugsbelastung, Belastungsverteilung sowie einen systemisch übergreifenden „Kno...
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Full-text available
Background Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical and functional disease characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) characteristics for older adults with sarcopenia or obesity are already well established in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, we still do not know how detailed the RT protocols are descri...
Article
The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of exercise on low-trauma overall and major osteoporotic fractures in adults. Our systematic search of six literature databases according to the PRISMA guideline was conducted up to May 22, 2021, and included controlled clinical exercise trials with (a) individu...
Article
Zusammenfassung Die Belastungskomponenten bestimmen die Ausrichtung der Trainingsreize und sind somit maßgebend für die Wirkung eines Trainingsprotokolls auf die Knochenfestigkeit. In Anlehnung an die klassische Trainingswissenschaft ist eine Klassifizierung der Belastungskomponenten in Reizhöhe („strain-magnitude“), Reizrate („strain-rate“), Wiede...
Article
Full-text available
Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a training technology that enables simultaneous stimulation of all the main muscle groups with a specific impulse intensity for each electrode. The corresponding time-efficiency and joint-friendliness of WB-EMS may be particularly attractive for people unable or unmotivated to conduct (intense) conventio...
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Full-text available
Introduction: Aquatic or water-based exercise is a very popular type of exercise in particular for people with physical limitations, joint problems and fear of falling. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide evidence for the effect of aquatic exercise on Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in adults. Methods: A systematic literatur...
Chapter
Sportmotorische Basisfertigkeiten wie Laufen, Springen, Werfen als auch Alltagsbewegungen wie Sitzen, Stehen, Gehen setzen ein bestimmtes Maß an Kraft bzw. Kraftfähigkeit voraus. Daher kommt der energetisch determinierten Kraftfähigkeit, der Strukturierung der jeweiligen trainingsmethodischen Differenzierung als auch der zielorientierten Umsetzung...
Chapter
Training kann stark verkürzt als planmäßiger und zielgerichteter Belastungs-Beanspruchungs-Prozess zur Verbesserung der bio-psycho-sozialen Handlungsfähigkeit verstanden werden. Die Zielgerichtetheit sportlichen Wirkens stellt letztlich das Hauptkriterium dar, über den sich körperliches Training von körperlicher Aktivität oder Sport abhebt. Eine kl...
Chapter
Die Trainingswissenschaft greift auf mehr oder weniger elaborierte Heuristiken, Theorien, Konzepte und Modelle zur Beschreibung, Erklärung und Ergründung von Anpassungs-, Regelungs- und Steuerungsprozessen zurück. Die Erklärungskraft der jeweiligen Theorien und Modelle zu Anpassungsprozessen durch Training sowie zur Trainingssteuerung reichen dabei...
Article
Full-text available
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was (1) to determine exercise effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and (2) to address the corresponding implication of bone and menopausal status or supervision in postmenopausal women. A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases according to the PRISMA statement...
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Full-text available
Objectives Due to their pronounced anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used in inflammatory conditions and organ transplants. Unfortunately, GC-induced osteoporosis is one of the most common causes of secondary osteoporosis. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the...
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Purpose: We compared two different strategies providing professional coaching to administer an exercise program for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (POP): individual training (IT) at home with trainer's supervision provided by telephone contacts at regular time-intervals or group training (GT) with trainer's live supervision. Our working hy...
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Full-text available
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a high-intensity resistance training (HIT-RT) on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal aortic calcifications (AAC). Patients and methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the Franconian Osteopenia and Sarcopenia Trial (FrOST). 43 community-dwelling men with osteosarcopenia aged 72 years and older were...
Article
Full-text available
Regular exercise might reduce postmenopausal symptoms, however even short-moderate periods of absence from exercise training might significantly reduce these positive effects. The aim of the study was thus to determine detraining effects on postmenopausal symptoms after a 3-month detraining period in early post-menopausal women. After 13 months, th...
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Vertebral fractures are frequent clinical consequences of osteoporosis. Considering the demographic change in Europe, the number of vertebral fractures will quite likely increase during the next decades. Apart from pharmaceutic agents and physiotherapy, spinal orthoses are established elements of conservative therapy for vertebral (body) fractures....
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Full-text available
Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is an innovative training method that stimulates large areas simultaneously. In order to determine the spatial distribution of WB-EMS with respect to volume involvement and stimulation depth, we determined the extent of intramuscular edema using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a marker of structural eff...
Article
Full-text available
The role of exercise in preventing osteoporotic fractures is vague, and further recommendations for optimized exercise protocols are very rare. In the present work, we provided positive evidence for exercise effects on the number of osteoporotic fractures in adults, albeit without observing any significant relevance of intensity progression or stud...
Article
Full-text available
As a time-efficient and highly effective form of training, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) enables personalised training for a wide range of users due to its personal training character and the individual control of the training intensity. However, due to misuse, negative side effects of WB-EMS have been reported in the past, resulting in...
Book
Das vorliegende essential versteht sich als kompaktes Nachschlagewerk für Fragen und Aspekte rund um ein körperliches Training im Spannungsfeld der Osteoporose und Frakturprophylaxe. Schwerpunkt sind dabei evidenzbasierte Strategien und Handlungsempfehlungen zur Primär- und Sekundärprävention der Osteoporose, respektive zur Frakturreduktion sowie K...
Article
Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Subjektive Gründe, Barrieren sowie Unterstützungsbedarfe älterer Menschen mit Adipositas hinsichtlich einer Gewichtsreduktion sind bisher wenig bekannt und wurden daher in einer qualitativen Studie untersucht. Methodik Leitfadengestützte, problemzentrierte Interviews wurden mit 13 Teilnehmenden (selbständig,≥65 Jahre...
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Neben einem positiven Gesamteffekt zeigen die in Abb. 2.1 abgebildeten Ergebnisse eine hohe (signifikante) Heterogenität mit zum Teil negativen Effekten einzelner Studien. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass einige applizierte Trainingsprotokolle schlicht keinen oder sogar negativen Effekt auf den avisierten Endpunkt „Frakturreduktion“ hatten. Tatsächlich...
Chapter
Personen mit erhöhtem Knochenumsatz und/oder Personen mit leichter Reduktion der Knochendichte (Osteopenie) ohne erhöhtes Sturzrisiko, können problemlos ein Training in qualifizierten gesundheitsorientierten Fitnessstudios oder Sportvereinen betreiben. Gängige Angebote wie (High-Impact-)Aerobic und Kurse (zunächst) an Kraftgeräten oder (später) mit...
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Nur wenige Trainingsstudien sind ausreichend teilnehmerstark oder/und zeitlich umfassend, um die statistische „Power“ an Teilnehmerjahren zu generieren, die eine belastbare Berechnung des statistischen Effekts auf den avisierten Frakturtyp zulässt. Fokussiert man auf die Hüftfraktur, so wird die enorme Stichprobengröße von über 2300 Personen/Studie...
Article
Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Körperliches Training und antiresorptive pharmakologische Therapie wirken über unterschiedliche Mechanismen auf den Knochenstoffwechsel ein. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem Ansatz, ob eine Bisphosphonat-Behandlung durch zusätzliches körperliches Training additive Effekte auf die Knochendichte (BMD) an Len...
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Full-text available
Editorial on the Research Topic Whole-body electromyostimulation: A training technology to improve health and performance in humans? volume II Launched in Germany in about 2006, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a young exercise technology. Due to its increasing popularity, time-efficiency, joint-friendliness and individualized applicati...
Article
Zusammenfassung Konsequent supervisiertes, kompetent angeleitetes und behutsam aufgebautes HIT-KT mit modernen Kraftgeräten kann als sichere, attraktive, zeitsparende und effektive Trainingsmethode zur Verbesserung der Knochendichte in einem Kollektiv selbstständig lebender älterer Männer mit Osteosarkopenie angesehen werden.
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Full-text available
The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021250467) was to evaluate the effects of exercise on low‐trauma overall and major osteoporotic fractures (hip, spine, forearm or humerus fractures) and to determine the corresponding effect of supervision of the exercise program. Our systematic search of six literature data...
Chapter
Mit der Erfindung der Laufmaschine durch Karl von Drais vor ca. 200 Jahren erfuhr das Fahrrad als Fortbewegungs-, Alltags- und Transportmittel eine große Popularität. In der Folgezeit wurde aufgrund der technischen Weiterentwicklungen der Einsatz des Fahrrades im Sport oder Wettkampf immer beliebter. Folglich entstanden Wettbewerbe und Aktivitäten,...
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Mit der Erfindung der Laufmaschine durch Karl von Drais vor ca. 200 Jahren erfuhr das Fahrrad als Fortbewegungs-, Alltags- und Transportmittel eine große Popularität. In der Folgezeit wurde aufgrund der technischen Weiterentwicklungen der Einsatz des Fahrrades im Sport oder Wettkampf immer beliebter. Folglich entstanden Wettbewerbe und Aktivitäten,...
Article
Full-text available
Obesity and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are characterized by excess body fat with or without low muscle mass affecting bio‐psycho‐social health, functioning, and subsequently quality of life in older adults. We mapped outcomes addressed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on lifestyle interventions in community‐dwelling older people with (sarcopenic...
Article
Full-text available
Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) induces high-intense stimuli to skeletal muscles with low strain on joints and the autonomic nervous system and may thus be suitable for frail, older people. However, if trained at very high intensities, WB-EMS may damage muscles and kidneys (rhabdomyolysis). This study aimed at investigating the feasibilit...
Article
Full-text available
Background Myosteatosis, skeletal muscle fat infiltration, is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. The age-related increase of myosteatosis is an important characteristic of sarcopenia and contributes to fragility. Aims To investigate the impact of healthy aging on intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and muscle fat fraction (FF) in the thigh...