Abstract
A limited number of acute whole body vibration (WBV) studies have investigated the effects of WBV treatments which were applied with different vibration frequencies and amplitude combinations on lower extremity muscle activation of well-trained athletes from different sports branches. To compare the effects of WBV on lower extremity muscle activation via Surface Electromyography (sEMG) of well-trained athletes from different sports branches (soccer, basketball and swimming) during static and dynamic squat exercises. sEMG activities of Tibialis Anterior (TA), Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), Vastus Medialis (VM), Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL) and Biceps Femoris (BF) muscles of 7 male soccer players, 7 male basketball players, and 6 male swimmers were recorded during WBV applied in static squat and dynamic squat positions with different frequencies (30-35-40 Hz) and amplitude (2-4 mm) combinations separated from each other by 5 min passive rest periods. Each combination was applied for 30 sec. The highest muscle activation was determined in TA of the swimmers compared to soccer players during static squat with 4mm-30Hz WBV application (p=0.027). The lowest muscle activation was also determined in VL of the swimmers compared to soccer players during static squat with 2mm-40Hz WBV (p=0.049). During dynamic squat with 4mm-40Hz WBV, the highest muscle activity was determined in RF of the basketball players compared to swimmers (p=0.030). However, dynamic squat with 2mm-40Hz WBV application gave rise to the lowest muscle activation in VL of the basketball players compared to soccer players (p=0.042). Well-trained athletes from different sports branches demonstrated different neuromuscular responses to acute WBV treatments. WBV during dynamic squatting which was applied with 4mm-40 Hz may be more beneficial in enhancing neuromuscular performance acutely for well-trained male athletes since it resulted in higher levels of muscular activation responses according to the present study.
Highlights
Strength development is the vital factor for performance enhancement of athletes, and for the prevention of sports injuries
Athletes from weight-bearing sports are already adapted to training and competing under the influence of gravitational forces. In view of this point, we aimed to investigate the acute effects of whole body vibration (WBV) treatments on neuromuscular activity with different frequencies and amplitude combinations during unloaded static and dynamic squat exercises of well-trained male athletes competing in basketball, soccer and swimming by using the Surface Electromyography (sEMG) method
In order to examine the effects of WBV on muscular activities of athletes, the sEMG activity of six leg muscles - Tibialis Anterior (TA), Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), Vastus Medialis (VM), Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL) and Biceps Femoris (BF)- were analyzed
Summary
Strength development is the vital factor for performance enhancement of athletes, and for the prevention of sports injuries. Athletes and coaches have performed strength training by using traditional methods including free weights, machines, plyometric drills, and isokinetic devices. New training methods or techniques which require less time and are easier to perform have supplanted these traditional methods (Fernandez-Rio et al, 2010). It has been reported that one of the most popular new training methods is vibration stimulation which is a mechanical stimulus characterized by an oscillatory motion. There are a lot of investigations about the beneficial effects of vibration on muscular performance through a neural adaptation (Bosco et al, 1998; Delecluse et al, 2003; Verschueren et al, 2004a; Roelants et al, 2004; Torvinen et al, 2002; Torvinen et al, 2003; Verschueren et al, 2004b).
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