Technology guide
Supramaximal contractions: how EMT works the muscle without effort
A supramaximal contraction exceeds what the muscle can produce voluntarily. It is the core of EMT technology: here is how it is achieved and what it triggers.
Definition
During voluntary effort, the brain recruits only some of a muscle's fibres, starting with the smallest. A supramaximal contraction activates almost all the fibres at once, both slow and fast, which no training can achieve.
How EMT achieves this
The pulsed magnetic field induces an electrical current in the tissue, which directly triggers the contraction of the fibres. At a high frequency, such as 150 Hz, the contractions follow one another so quickly that the muscle remains continuously contracted during the work phases.
The muscle's response
This intense work activates the muscle fibre's growth signals: protein synthesis increases and the muscle gains volume and tone over the sessions. This is known as hypertrophy.
What about fat?
To supply the energy consumed, the body releases fatty acids from its stores. A more developed muscle also uses slightly more energy at rest. This is called indirect lipolysis: the fat is not destroyed, it is mobilised.
Limits to be aware of
EMT builds volume and tone, but not endurance or coordination, which require voluntary training. Regular physical activity helps maintain the results. Muscle soreness and a residual muscular sensation may appear after the session.