Effects Of Whole-body Vibration Research Articles

Effects of Three Weeks of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Joint-Position Sense, Balance, and Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose : To observe the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training in conjunction with conventional physical therapy (PT) on joint-position sense (JPS), balance, and gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 24 children with CP were randomly selected either to continue their conventional PT or to receive WBV in conjunction with their conventional PT programme. Exposure to the intervention was intermittent (3 min WBV, 3 min rest) for 20 minutes, twice weekly for 3 weeks. JPS, balance, and gait were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Ankle JPS was improved after 3 weeks of WBV training (p=0.014). Participants in the WBV group showed greater improvements in speed (F1,21=5.221, p=0.035) and step width (F1,21=4.487, p=0.039) than participants in the conventional PT group. Conclusion: Three weeks of WBV training was effective in improving ankle JPS and gait variables in children with CP.

Acute effects of whole-body vibration with resistance exercise on postexercise blood pressure and oxygen consumption in prehypertensive adults

Background/ObjectiveResearch on the acute health effects of whole-body vibration with resistance exercise (WBV + RE) for clinical populations is limited. This randomized crossover trial evaluated postexercise hypotension and excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) in response to three conditions: WBV + RE, RE alone, and control (CON) in 11 prehypertensive (systolic/diastolic blood pressure: 120–139/80–89 mmHg) adults. MethodsFollowing a 12-hour fast with no exercise for the previous 24 hours, resting VO2 and blood pressure (BP) were measured. WBV + RE was performed while standing barefoot on a vibration platform (Pneumex Pro-Vibe) and lifting a bar of 10% body weight. Fifteen repetitions of nine exercises were performed using a 1-minute–to-30-second exercise:rest ratio. RE was identical to WBV + RE but without vibration. During CON, participants remained seated for 15 minutes. Following exercise, VO2 was measured continuously and BP every 15 minutes for 3 hours. ResultsPostexercise hypotension and EPOC were significantly different for WBV + RE compared with RE and CON (p <0.001). Postexercise systolic BP was significantly lower for WBV + RE as compared with RE or CON, while diastolic BP was lower for both WBV + RE and RE compared with CON (p < 0.001; WBV + RE: 124 ± 2/72 ± 6 mmHg; RE: 126 ± 2/71 ± 6 mmHg; CON: 128 ± 2/73 ± 6 mmHg). EPOC was significantly (p < 0.001) higher at 15 minutes postexercise for WBV + RE as compared with RE. ConclusionCompared with RE alone, a single bout of WBV + RE resulted in a greater postexercise hypotension response and higher EPOC.

In Patients with Established RA, Positive Effects of a Randomised Three Month WBV Therapy Intervention on Functional Ability, Bone Mineral Density and Fatigue Are Sustained for up to Six Months.

Functional ability is often impaired for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), rendering these patients highly sedentary. Additionally, patients with RA often take medication known to negatively affect bone mass. Thus improving functional ability and bone health in this group of patients is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) therapy in patients with stable, established RA. Thirty one females with RA were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, n = 15) who continued with their normal activities or a WBV group (n = 16) who underwent a three month WBV therapy intervention, consisting of 15 minutes of intermittent vibration, performed twice per week. Patients were assessed at baseline, three months, and three months post intervention for functional ability using the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire; for RA disease activity using the Clinical Disease Activity Index, for quality of life using self-report fatigue and pain scores; for physical activity profiles using accelerometry, and for BMD and body composition using DXA. Patients in both groups were matched for all variables at baseline. After the intervention period, functional ability was significantly improved in the WBV group (1.22(0.19) to 0.92(0.19), p = 0.02). Hip BMD was significantly reduced in the CON group (0.97(0.05) to 0.84(0.05) g.cm-2, p = 0.01), while no decreases were seen in the WBV group (1.01(0.05) to 0.94(0.05) g.cm-2, p = 0.50). Despite no change in RA disease activity in either group at either follow up, fatigue levels were improved in the WBV group (4.4(0.63) to 1.1(0.65), yet remained unchanged in the CON group at both follow ups (p = 0.01). Ten minute bouts of light to moderate physical activity were significantly reduced in the CON group after the intervention (2.8(0.61) to 1.8(0.64) bouts per day, p = 0.01), and were preserved in the WBV group (3.1(0.59) to 3.0(0.61) bouts per day, p = 0.70). Intermittent WBV shows promise for sustained improvements in functional ability, for attenuating loss of bone mass at the hip, as well as for decreasing fatigue in patients with established RA.Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201405000823418

Acute Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Dynamic Postural Control and Muscle Activity in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

Acute Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Dynamic Postural Control and Muscle Activity in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

전신진동운동(whole body vibration)이 근피로가 유도된 슬관절 고유수용성 위치감각기능에 미치는 영향

This study was designed to investigate the effect of whole body vibration(WBV) on the proprioceptive body position sense decline of knee joint induced by muscle fatigue. As the cross-over study, ten young college male students were assigned to WBV treatment group and control(complete rest) group with a week interval. Muscle fatigue was induced by knee flexion and extention exercise at 180˚/sec using isokinetic exercise machine(Biodex, USA). Muscle fatigue was determined at the time point when the torque conducted by each subject decreased to the 40% of one’s pre-determined maximal toque.BR The determination of proprioceptive body position sense was conducted twice(active, passive) at 55 of knee joint and the values of absolute error were measured before and after 10min-WBV or complete rest for each subject’s fatigued leg. The result was followed as this.BR 1) Muscle fatigue induced by isokinetic exercise reduced the proprioceptive position sense of knee joint(p.05)BR 2) Whole body vibration exercise contributed to the recovery from the declination of proprioceptive position sense induced by muscle fatigue(p.05)BR 3) Whole body vibration exercise contributed to the recovery from the declined maximal knee extension toque induced by muscle fatigue(p.05)

Effect of whole-body vibration on reduction of bone loss and fall prevention in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BackgroundTo examine whole-body vibration (WBV) effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and fall prevention in postmenopausal women, we performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing change in BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine and related factors of falls between WBV group and control group.MethodsEMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ISI Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched up to April 2015; search strategy was used as follows: (vibration) AND (osteoporo* OR muscle* OR bone mineral density OR BMD). All prospective randomized controlled trials comparing related factors of falls and BMD change in the femoral neck and lumbar spine between WBV group and control group were retrieved.ResultsEight of 3599 studies with 1014 patients were included, 477 in the WBV group, and 537 in the control group. We found that there was no significant difference in all magnitude groups of the femoral neck (N = 936, WMD: 0.00 (–0.00, 0.01); p = 0.18). A statistical significance showed in the all magnitude groups (N = 1014, WMD: 0.01 (0.00, 0.01); p = 0.01) and low-magnitude group (N = 838, WMD: 0.01 (0.00, 0.01); p = 0.007) of the lumbar spine. No significant difference was found in high-magnitude group of the lumbar spine (N = 176, WMD: 0.00 (−0.01, 0.02); p = 0.47), low-magnitude group (N = 838, WMD: 0.00 (−0.00, 0.00); p = 0.92) and high-magnitude group (N = 98, WMD: 0.02 (−0.00, 0.05); p = 0.06) of the femoral neck. All the studies provided data of related factors of falls such as strength of the lower limb, balance, and fall rate reported effectiveness of WBV therapy. In addition, no complication was reported.ConclusionsLow-magnitude whole-body vibration therapy can provide a significant improvement in reducing bone loss in the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. Moreover, whole-body vibration can be used as an intervention for fall prevention.

Whole-Body Vibration Partially Reverses Aging-Induced Increases in Visceral Adiposity and Hepatic Lipid Storage in Mice.

At old age, humans generally have declining muscle mass and increased fat deposition, which can increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. While regular physical activity postpones these age-related derangements, this is not always possible in the elderly because of disabilities or risk of injury. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training may be considered as an alternative to physical activity particularly in the frail population. To explore this possibility, we characterized whole-body and organ-specific metabolic processes in 6-month and 25-month old mice, over a period of 14 weeks of WBV versus sham training. WBV training tended to increase blood glucose turnover rates and stimulated hepatic glycogen utilization during fasting irrespective of age. WBV was effective in reducing white fat mass and hepatic triglyceride content only in old but not in young mice and these reductions were related to upregulation of hepatic mitochondrial uncoupling of metabolism (assessed by high-resolution respirometry) and increased expression of uncoupling protein 2. Because these changes occurred independent of changes in food intake and whole-body metabolic rate (assessed by indirect calorimetry), the liver-specific effects of WBV may be a primary mechanism to improve metabolic health during aging, rather than that it is a consequence of alterations in energy balance.

The effects of whole body vibration on muscle strength and functional mobility in persons with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThis review aimed to confirm the effects of the whole body vibration (WBV) on muscle performance and functional mobility in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in databases of Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from 1990 to 2015. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Tool. Summary statistics was calculated using the Review Manager 5.2 software. ResultsBased on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 trials including 201 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the WBV significantly improved the knee extensor strength (WMD=13.74, 95% CI 4.56 to 22.93, P=0.003). However, there were no significant differences between WBV and control groups on knee flexor strength (95% CI −26.22 to 41.83, P=0.65), Timed Up and Go test (TUG, WMD=0.31, 95% CI: −0.91 to 3.42, P=0.62) and walking speed (SMD=0.42, 95% CI: −0.78 to 1.62, P=0.49). ConclusionsThese results indicate that the WBV may improve the knee extension muscle strength. However, the WBV does not show a meaningful improvement of functional mobility in MS patients.

Effect of Concurrent Use of Whole-Body Vibration and Parathyroid Hormone on Bone Structure and Material Properties of Ovariectomized Mice.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) and intermittent parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in combination against estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis. Female C57BL/6J mice were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX, n=40) or sham-operated (sham-OVX, n=8) at 9weeks of age. Two weeks later, the OVX mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 each): the control group (c-OVX) and groups treated with iPTH (p-OVX), WBV (w-OVX) and both (pw-OVX). The p-OVX and pw-OVX groups were given human PTH (1-34) at a dose of 30µg/kg/day. The w-OVX and pw-OVX groups were exposed to WBV at an acceleration of 0.3g and 45Hz for 20min/day. All mice were euthanized after the 18-day treatment, and the left tibiae were harvested. The proximal metaphyseal region was µCT-scanned, and its cortical bone cross-section was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and nanoindentation testing. A single application of iPTH or WBV to OVX mice had no effect on bone structure or material properties of cortical bone, which were compromised in comparison to those in sham-OVX mice. The combination of iPTH and WBV improved trabecular bone volume, thickness, and connectivity in OVX mice. Although the combined treatment failed to improve cortical bone structure, its mineral maturity and hardness were restored to the levels observed in sham-OVX mice. There was no evidence of interaction between the two treatments, and the combined effects seemed to be additive. These results suggest combining WBV with iPTH has great potential for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effects of whole body vibration on body composition and muscle strength of children with Down syndrome

Background and purpose: Children with Down syndrome(DS) have an increased prevalence of obesity and muscle weakness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12 weeks of whole body vibration (WBV)on body composition and muscle strength of children with DS. Subjects and methods: Thirty children with DS, aged 10-12 years, divided randomly into two groups of equal numbers(control and study groups)participated in this study. The control group received a designed physical therapy program, while the study group received the same program given to the control group, in addition to WBV training. Treatment sessions were performed 3 times per week, for 3 successive months. Measurements of body composition, isometric strength of hip flexors ,extensors, abductors, knee extensors, flexors and ankle planter flexors before and after the treatment program .Results: The results revealed that body composition, including body weight, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference ,fat mass and percentage of body fat did not change significantly for both groups. There was significant increase in lower limb strength in both groups when comparing their pre and post treatment results .Comparison of post treatment results revealed more increase in lower limb strength in the WBV group .This study showed that 12 weeks WBV training did not affect body composition. However, WBV training induced a gain in lower limb strength. Conclusion :These preliminary results suggest that WBV training may improve lower extremities muscular strength in obese children with DS.

An Udwadia-Kalaba Equation based active seat suspension controller for mining dump trucks

Abstract: This work proposes the use of an active seat suspension system to reduce the negative effects of whole body vibrations experienced by mining dump truck drivers during loading of ore at high velocity by large shovels. The control system is developed using the Udwadia-Kalaba equation, a method from analytical dynamics, which does not require linearisation of the system dynamics. A multibody system model of the dump truck with an active seat suspension system and passive hydro-pneumatic suspension struts is developed using a pseudo-coordinate based approach. The control objective is first formulated as a mechanical constraint in order to apply this method. Simulation results are compared with particular focus on the acceleration developed at the mining dump truck’s seat, comparing a conventional cushion seat with the actively controlled seat suspension. Hence, validating the effectiveness of this approach.

The effects of whole body vibration in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background:Whole body vibration (WBV) has been used to increase physical activity levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective:To carry out a systematic review of the effects of WBV on the glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical and functional capacity of patients with T2DM. Method: MEDLINE, LILACS, PEDro, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to June 1st, 2015. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of WBV, compared to control or other intervention, on blood glucose levels, blood and physical cardiovascular risk factors, and physical and functional capacity in adult individuals with T2DM. Two independent reviewers extracted the data regarding authors, year of publication, number of participants, gender, age, WBV parameters and description of intervention, type of comparison, and mean and standard deviation of pre and post assessments. Results: Out of 585 potentially eligible articles, two studies (reported in four manuscripts) were considered eligible. WBV interventions provided a significant reduction of 25.7 ml/dl (95% CI:-45.3 to -6.1; I2: 19%) in 12 hours fasting blood glucose compared with no intervention. Improvements in glycated hemoglobin, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical and functional capacity were found only at 12 weeks after WBV intervention in comparison with no intervention. Conclusion: WBV combined with exercise seems to improve glycemic control slightly in patients with T2DM in an exposure-dependent way. Large and well-designed trials are still needed to establish the efficacy and understand whether the effects were attributed to vibration, exercise, or a combination of both.

Effects of whole-body vibration after eccentric exercise on muscle soreness and muscle strength recovery.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not a single whole-body vibration treatment after eccentric exercise can reduce muscle soreness and enhance muscle recovery. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty untrained participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a vibration group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Participants performed eccentric quadriceps training of 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 120% 1RM, with 4 min rest between sets. After that, the vibration group received 3 sets of 1 min whole body vibration (12 Hz, 4 mm) with 30 s of passive recovery between sets. Serum creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, muscle soreness (visual analog scale) and muscle strength (peak isometric torque) were assessed. [Results] Creatine kinase was lower in the vibration group than in the control group at 24 h (200.2 ± 8.2 vs. 300.5 ± 26.1 U/L) and at 48 h (175.2 ± 12.5 vs. 285.2 ± 19.7 U/L) post-exercise. Muscle soreness decreased in vibration group compared to control group at 48 h post-exercise (34.1 ± 11.4 vs. 65.2 ± 13.2 mm). [Conclusion] Single whole-body vibration treatment after eccentric exercise reduced delayed onset muscle soreness but it did not affect muscle strength recovery.

Benefits of Whole-Body Vibration, as a Component of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation, in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review with a Suitable Approach.

Background. Appropriate management, including pulmonary rehabilitation, associated with correct diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients can contribute to improving clinical conditions of these patients. Physical activity is recommended for COPD patients. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a modality of physical activity. Putting together the biological effects and safe use of WBV, it may be a potentially feasible intervention to add to pulmonary rehabilitation. The purpose of this investigation was to systematically review studies regarding the effects of WBV, as a component of the pulmonary rehabilitation, in patients with COPD. Results. A total of six publications met inclusion for review. There was evidence to support the beneficial use of WBV to improve functional performance of the lower limbs and quality of life. However, the appropriateness of and descriptors of WBV methods were poorly described. Conclusions. The results of this review support the use of WBV as a component of pulmonary rehabilitation to assist management of patients with COPD. However, future research should examine the dose-response curve and optimal dosing regimen of WBV according to standard reporting recommendations for people with COPD. Such an approach will allow comparison among studies and the potential of meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

EFFECT OF BODY POSITION DURING WHOLE BODY VIBRATION ON ACUTE JUMPING PERFORMANCE

Background. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) during heel raised and standing squat position on squat (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) heights. Methods. Twenty four physically active sport science students are voluntarily participated in this study. Randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study was used in this study and all subjects completed two trials that were plantar (25–30°) and dorsal (5–10°) flexion squats. WBV exercises were performed on a vibration plate at 26 Hz frequency, 4mm amplitude. Jumping performances were assessed with and without WBV conditions. Subjects executed WBV condition treatment on static plantar or dorsal flexion half squat position (45 °knee angle) for 3x60 s with 60 s rest between sets. Results. There was no statistically significant two-way interaction between treatments and times for SJ and CMJ (p &gt; .05). SJ and CMJ after the WBV were significantly higher than without WBV condition (p &lt; .05). SJ and CMJ heights were higher than baseline values without WBV. Conclusion. These results indicate that there were no differences between WBV during plantar and dorsal flexion squat position on SJ and CMJ heights. Regardless of different muscle length squat position during WBV, there were little but significant differences (~1cm) on SJ and CMJ heights after WBV. According to these results it can be said that WBV had a statistically significant acute effect on jumping, but different plantar-flexor muscle length squat position on vibration plate during WBV did not have any effect on jumping performance.

Long-Term and Immediate Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Chronic Lameness in the Horse: A Pilot Study

The effects of whole body vibration (WBV) in horses with chronic lameness were evaluated in an experimental, single subject, repeated measure design. To assess the long-term effect of WBV, eight horses not previously exposed to WBV were subject to WBV, 30 minutes twice daily, five days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine. Lameness was assessed subjectively and objectively 30 days before the start, at the start and 30 and 60 days after the start of the treatment (WBV). The immediate effect of WBV was assessed in four horses accustomed to WBV, by comparing lameness before and within 30 minutes of a single 30-minute WBV session at four different time intervals. Change in lameness was sought using paired t tests on the kinematic data. A P-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Intraindividual change was sought using a subjective and objective scoring system. No statistically significant change in lameness was seen after 30 or 60 days of WBV, respectively, in the chronically lame horses not previously exposed to WBV. However, a trend toward improvement was observed after the first 30 days of WBV, but this improvement appeared to be lost during the second 30 days of WBV. Although a statistically significant worsening of front limb lameness was seen immediately after a single 30-minute WBV session in the chronically lame horses accustomed to WBV, this result was largely attributed to a very significant worsening of the front limb lameness in one horse within that group.

Immediate effects of whole body vibration on patellar tendon properties and knee extension torque

Reports about the immediate effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exposure upon torque production capacity are inconsistent. However, the changes in the torque-angle relationship observed by some authors after WBV may hinder the measurement of torque changes at a given angle. Acute changes in tendon mechanical properties do occur after certain types of exercise but this hypothesis has never been tested after a bout of WBV. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether tendon compliance is altered immediately after WBV, effectively shifting the optimal angle of peak torque towards longer muscle length. Twenty-eight subjects were randomly assigned to either a WBV (n = 14) or a squatting control group (n = 14). Patellar tendon CSA, stiffness and Young's modulus and knee extension torque-angle relationship were measured using ultrasonography and dynamometry 1 day before and directly after the intervention. Tendon CSA was additionally measured 24 h after the intervention to check for possible delayed onset of swelling. The vibration intervention had no effects on patellar tendon CSA, stiffness and Young's modulus or the torque-angle relationship. Peak torque was produced at ~70° knee angle in both groups at pre- and post-test. Additionally, the knee extension torque globally remained unaffected with the exception of a small (-6%) reduction in isometric torque at a joint angle of 60°. The present results indicate that a single bout of vibration exposure does not substantially alter patellar tendon properties or the torque-angle relationship of knee extensors.

Whole-body vibration can attenuate the deterioration of bone mass and trabecular bone microstructure in rats with spinal cord injury

Experimental, controlled study. To examine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on bone mass and trabecular bone microstructure (TBMS) during the early stage in juvenile rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Studied at the Kio University in Japan. Thirty-four 8-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: the SCI group, the sham-operation group (SHAM) and the SCI+WBV group. WBV started on the 8th day after SCI. After 1 or 2 weeks of WBV treatment, measurements of tissue mineral density, trabecular bone mineral content (BMC) and parameters of TBMS were obtained by scanning the proximal tibias with x-ray micro-computed tomography. Serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) were measured with ELISA. BMC, volume bone mineral density, bone volume (BV), BV fraction (BV/tissue volume) and connectivity density (Conn.D) of TBMS parameters were significantly higher in SCI+WBV rats than in SCI rats after 2-week WBV. The BMC and BV/TV of bone mass index correlated well with Conn.D, suggesting the preservation of Conn.D. induced by WBV. SCI+WBV rats showed a decrease in serum OC after 1-week WBV, but a quick recovery from that after 2-week WBV. There was no difference in serum TRACP 5b among the 3 groups throughout the experimental period. WBV treatment could attenuate the bone deterioration that occurs during the early stage in juvenile rats with SCI. In a clinic, this early WBV intervention may be an effective rehabilitation modality for preventing bone fragility in SCI patients.

Effects of whole-body vibration on proxies of muscle strength in old adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of physical capacity level.

BackgroundDynapenia (age-associated loss of muscle strength not caused by neurologic or muscular diseases) and functional limitations (e.g. climbing stairs, chair rising) are important problems in elderly persons. Whole body vibration, used as an adjunct to classical resistance training or even as a stand-alone alternative, might help to reduce these problems. Its value might be highest in elderly persons with very low function, where whole body vibration can be used as a skilling up training until more conventional exercise types are possible. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the current evidence for whole-body vibration interventions on isometric maximum voluntary contraction, dynamic strength, power, rate of force development and functional strength in elderly categorised in different subgroups based on function levels.MethodsAn extensive literature search was carried out in February 2014 and repeated in February 2015 at PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and CINAHL electronic databases. The International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from the World Health Organization was also searched. Randomized controlled trials measuring isometric maximum voluntary contraction, dynamic strength, power, rate of force development and functional strength in studies using WBV intervention in 65 years or older elderly individuals were included. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing Risk of Bias. Studies were classified based on the level of physical capacitiy of the participants as “Go-Go”, “Slow-Go” or “No-Go”. Data were pooled using a random effects model.ResultsThirty-eigth articles of moderate methodological quality were included. The vibration modes for sinusoidal vertical whole-body vibration was between 25 and 40 Hz, the amplitude varied from 2 to 4 mm. Sinusoidal side-alternating -whole-body vibration revealed frequencies from 2.5 to 35 Hz with amplitudes ranging from 0.05 to 12 mm. Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration used frequencies between 3 and 6 Hz. Effect sizes in Go-Go were moderate after vertical sinusoidal Whole-body vibration compared to non-training control groups for isometric maximum voluntary contraction with effect size 0.48 (95 % CI 0.33 to 0.63) and for Dynamic Strength with effect size 0.47 (95 % CI 0.06 to 0.88). Side-alternating sinusoidal whole body vibration showed moderate effect sizes with 0.69 (95 % CI 0.32 to 1.06) for isometric maximum voluntary contraction, 0.50 (95 % CI 0.07 to 0.92) for power, 0.40 (95 % CI 0.16 to 0.64) for Rate of Force Development and 0.42 (95 % CI 0.13 to 0.71) for Functional Strength compared to non-exercise control. The analysis for Slow-Go showed for stochastic resonance whole-body vibration and Functional Strength an effect size of 0.97 (95 % CI −0.07 to 2.00) compared to non-exercise control in one study. No-Go showed for stochastic resonance whole-body vibration a moderate effect size with 0.50 (95 % CI −0.32 to 1.33) for Functional Strength compared to non-exercise control.ConclusionsWhole-body vibration shows beneficial effects, mainly in the No-Go group elderly compared to non-training control and conventional strength training groups. The results suggest that WBV can be used as a skilling-up exercise in participants not able to perform standard exercises. Further studies with the various types of WBV in various sub-populations of elderly persons are needed to determine the most effective vibration modes.Trial registrationRegistration number: CRD42013006489.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11556-015-0158-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acute effects of static stretching or whole body vibration on peak torque and peak power of collegiate athletes

Summary Introduction Several studies have reported that stretching before exercise or performance events in fact reduces isometric muscle strength; conversely, recent studies suggested that low amplitude, low frequency mechanical stimulation of the human body is a harmless and efficient way to train musculoskeletal structures. The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of static stretching and whole body vibration (WBV) on peak torque (PT) and peak power of collegiate athletes, and to see if there will be any positive effect of whole body vibration on possible decrease of peak power or torque after static stretching. Subjects and methods Twenty college athletes enrolled in fitness class (age: 24.1 ± 2.38 years; body mass: 69.48 ± 11.40 kg; height: 174.15 ± 0.8 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Peak torque and peak power data were obtained in a total of three days before and after stretching and after WBV. Results Post-stretching and vibration values for both extension and flexion position were not significantly higher than the baseline values even though there was significant difference between pre- stretching and post-stretching ( P > 0.05). Peak torque values of the subjects were decreased insignificantly after stretching compared to baseline measurements. Conclusion To conclude, these results may not be satisfactory to provide ultimate findings in solving the disagreement between the studies. In future studies, effects of static stretching and vibration on chosen physiological parameters should be investigated in different levels of athletes with different arrangements of frequency, duration and volume of vibration application combined with static stretching.