Effects of Low-Frequency Vibration on Physiological Recovery from Exhaustive Exercise

Ching-Feng Cheng,Yen-Ling Lu,Wei-Chieh Hsu,Yu-Chi Kuo,Yi-Chen Huang,Chia-Lun Lee

doi:10.2174/1875399x01710010087

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effects of low-frequency vibration on physiological recovery from exhaustive exercise. Methods: Twelve college males were recruited in this randomized crossover-designed study, and were asked to perform one of three treatments following a graded cycling exercise test: nonvibration (0 Hz, 0 mm, CON), high-amplitude vibration (8 Hz, 8 mm, HVT), or low-amplitude vibration (8 Hz, 2 mm, LVT). After the 10-min treatment, participants were asked to rest in a supine position for a 1-h recovery. The oxygen uptake, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration (La) were measured during the trials. Results: The oxygen uptake during HVT were significantly higher than those in the CON and LVT (p < 0.05, effect size = 1.52−1.63). The La immediately following HVT was significantly lower than that following CON (HVT vs. CON = 11.52 ± 1.85 vs. 12.95 ± 1.78 mmol•L-1, p < 0.05, effect size = 1.94). Additionally, the Las following HVT and LVT at the post 30-min were significantly lower than that following the CON (HVT vs. LVT vs. CON = 4.72 ± 0.97 vs. 4.58 ± 1.06 vs. 5.98 ± 1.49 mmol•L-1, p < 0.05). No significant differences were found on the HRs, or on the time and frequency domain indices of HR variability among treatments during the recovery period. Conclusion: These results indicated that vibration with low frequency (8 Hz) can facilitate the removal of metabolic by-products after exhaustive exercise, but it has little effect on the autonomic nervous modulation of HR recovery.

Highlights

Achieving an appropriate balance between training or competition stress and recovery plays an essential role in optimizing athletes’ performances
In which intensity is administered by frequency and amplitude of vibration platform, can increase muscular activity [3] and muscle deoxygenation [4, 5], and result in an increase in the oxygen uptake (VO2) and energy expenditure, which is similar to the effects of light exercise [6, 7]
No significant interaction effects were determined for heart rate (HR) (F = 1.624, p > 0.05), but a significant main effect was found for time (F = 1341.7, p < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Achieving an appropriate balance between training or competition stress and recovery plays an essential role in optimizing athletes’ performances. Numerous recovery modalities (e.g., massage, light activities, and cryotherapy) have been proposed to attain this balance by increasing blood flow to and from the damaged muscle, removing waste by-. In which intensity is administered by frequency and amplitude (peak-to-peak displacement) of vibration platform, can increase muscular activity [3] and muscle deoxygenation [4, 5], and result in an increase in the oxygen uptake (VO2) and energy expenditure, which is similar to the effects of light exercise [6, 7]. Previous studies have reported that the vibration exercise can increase peripheral circulation [8], muscle temperature [9], and skin [10, 11] and leg blood flow [12]. The vibration exercise may act as a mechanical massage to facilitate physiological recovery from strenuous exercise

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion