Effects of Whole Body Vibration Training on Muscular Strength and Balance Ability of Elderly Men

Abstract

PURPOSE: As we age, various functional functions of our body such as muscular strength and balance ability will gradually decline. The decline of muscular strength associated with aging is a major cause of decreased balance ability and gait instability. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on muscular strength and balance ability of elderly men. METHODS: 30 elderly men aged 60-79 years, who met the inclusion criteria, were recruited and randomly assigned into training and control groups. Training group carried out 12-wk WBVT at the same amplitude (3mm) and frequencies (25-30Hz) on the Power-Plate vibration platform, while control group had no any training. Muscular strength of back and knee, static and dynamic balance ability were measured respectively by portable digital muscle strength tester (mircoFET3, American) and dynamic balance assessment training system (Biodex-950-440, American) before and after the experiment. RESULTS: The core and lower extremity muscular strength of the subjects in training group were significantly enhanced after 12-wk WBVT, with the average increase of dorsal extensor muscular strength by 15.3% and extensor knee muscular strength by 7.42%; with the eyes open, the overall (1.93±0.49 vs. 1.70±0.27), left-and-right (1.71±0.42 vs. 1.57±0.51) static balance index decreased significantly and the overall (4.86±0.21 vs. 3.41±0.29), fore-and-aft (4.51±0.30 vs. 2.53±0.14), left-and-right (4.21±0.26 vs. 2.95±0.18) static balance index with the eyes closed also decreased significantly; the dynamic balance scores in the front (36.63±12.41 vs. 38.72±16.27), left (43.95±16.42 vs. 47.52±16.51) and right (44.34±14.92 vs. 47.39±18.91) enhanced significantly. Meanwhile, there was no obvious change in muscular strength and balance ability in the control group at the end of experiment. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the core and lower extremity muscular strength as well as static and dynamic balance of elderly men could be improved with a 12-wk WBVT.