###### Abstract  
Soccer, as a high-intensity sport, places significant physical demands on athletes and is associated with a high risk of injury. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), a training and rehabilitation technology, has gained attention for its potential benefits in sports settings. This systematic review, conducted under the PRISMA guidelines, rigorously assessed the effectiveness of EMS in improving muscle strength, promoting post-exercise recovery, and facilitating injury rehabilitation among soccer players. A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases identified 10 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Among these, six studies demonstrated a significant improvement in athletic performance following local or whole-body EMS application. Four studies provided evidence supporting EMS's efficacy in enhancing post-exercise recovery and reducing recovery time after injuries, with observed reductions in recovery time. However, the majority of the included studies were not double-blind, which limits the strength of the evidence. None of the included studies reported EMS-related adverse effects. Overall, the current results suggest that EMS may be a useful adjunct to improve athletic performance and facilitate recovery in soccer players. This review offers actionable insights for coaches and athletes regarding the safe and effective application of EMS in soccer training and rehabilitation programs. 1 Department of Sports Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (M.-Y.S); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.S.O. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.-J.J.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (E.-H.K.) 2 Department of Food Science and Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Technology, Aksu 843000, China; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Department of Biology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]. matches--have markedly increased [1]. These physical requirements place substantial stress on the musculoskeletal system. Hence, attributes such as sprint speed, explosive power, and dynamic movement capacity have become crucial determinants of on-field performance. However, the cumulative effects of repeated high-intensity efforts are associated with an increased risk of muscle fatigue, soft-tissue injuries, and joint overload [2]. Injury incidence in professional soccer remains a significant concern, with approximately 30% of players retiring early due to injury-related issues [3]. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), involves the delivery of intermittent electrical impulses to the superficial skeletal muscles via surface electrodes connected to specialized equipment [4]. These impulses induce involuntary muscle contractions by directly stimulating the intramuscular motor nerves [5]. EMS has been proven effective in treating muscle damage by promoting recovery and improving the function of injured muscles [6]. Further, it plays a key role in supporting muscle protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle repair and growth [7]. Additionally, EMS has helped prevent muscle atrophy during extended periods of immobilization, such as after surgery or during long periods of inactivity [8]. In recent years, EMS has gained considerable attention in sport due to its benefits in muscle strength, recovery, and overall performance [9]. It offers a potential alternative to traditional strength-training methods, especially for elite athletes, by improving muscle performance while reducing the strain that comes with conventional weight training [10; 11]. However, despite its growing popularity, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the effectiveness of EMS specifically for soccer players. While EMS has been studied in other sports, its impact on improving strength, aiding injury recovery, and enhancing performance in soccer athletes remains underexplored. This gap in knowledge is particularly relevant given soccer's high-intensity physical demands, which place athletes at risk for muscle fatigue and injury.