Short-term Whole-body Vibration Training Research Articles

Effects of short-term whole-body vibration training on muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the changes in lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 21 healthy university students who underwent short-term whole-body vibration training without previous whole-body vibration training participated. The study design was randomized between-groups design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups; control, training, and whole-body vibration training. All participants completed a six-week training protocol comprising a first two-week training period, two-week rest period following the first training period, and second two-week training period. Over four periods, the participants' lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition were evaluated. Separate three-by-four repeated-measure analyses of variance, with three exercise mode groups and four periods, were initially used to analyze the primary outcome variables; lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition. [Results] In the three groups, lower-extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance performances, and body composition showed no changes during all periods. [Conclusion] This study provides a better insight on the responsiveness of short-term whole-body vibration training and will help determine whole-body vibration programs in revalidation and training.

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Motor Impairments in Patients With Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review was conducted to examine the effects of whole-body vibration training on motor impairments among patients with neurological disorders and to investigate which the whole-body vibration training parameters induced improvement in motor impairments. PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, REHABDATA, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials and pseudo-randomized controlled trials investigated the effect of whole-body vibration on motor impairments in patients with neurological disorders. The methodological quality was rated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Twenty studies were included in this systematic review. Four studies included patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy (n = 2), stroke (n = 9), Parkinson disease (n = 3), spinal cord injuries (n = 1), and spinocerebellar ataxia (n = 1). The results showed different evidence of benefits and nonbenefits for whole-body vibration training in motor impairments outcomes. There is weak evidence for a positive effect of short-term whole-body vibration training on spasticity of lower limbs, mobility, balance, and postural control. Besides, positive effect of the long-term effect of whole-body vibration training on mobility in patients with neurological disorders. The optimal whole-body vibration training parameters in treating patients with neurological disorders remain unclear.

Is the Acute and Short-Term Effect of Whole-Body Vibration the Same on the H-Reflex Recruitment Curve and Agility?

Despite the widespread use of whole-body vibration (WBV), especially in recent years, its neurophysiological mechanism is still unclear and it is yet to be determined whether acute and short-term WBV exposure produce neurogenic enhancement for agility. To compare the acute and short-term effects of WBV on the H-reflex-recruitment curve and agility. Cross-over study. Clinical electrophysiology laboratory. 20 nonathlete male volunteers (mean age 24.85 ± 3.03 y). Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups, H-reflex and agility. In the sham protocol, subjects stood on the turned-off vibration plate while maintaining the semisquat position, and then, after a 2-wk washout, vibration-training sessions were performed in the same position with a frequency of 30 Hz and an amplitude of 3 mm. H-reflex-recruitment curve was recorded and the agility test of a shuttle run was performed before and after the first session and also 48 h after the 11th session in both sham and vibration-training protocols. Acute effects of WBV training caused a significant decrease of threshold amplitude and H-max/M-max (P = .01 and P = .04, respectively). Short-term WBV training significantly decreased the threshold intensity of the soleus H-reflex-recruitment curve (P = .01) and caused a decrease and increase respectively, in the threshold intensity and the area under the recruitment curve. The results suggest an inhibitory effect of acute WBV training on the H-reflex response.

Does short-term whole-body vibration training affect arterial stiffness in chronic stroke? A preliminary study.

[Purpose] Previous studies have shown that stroke is associated with increased arterial stiffness that can be diminished by a program of physical activity. A novel exercise intervention, whole-body vibration (WBV), is reported to significantly improve arterial stiffness in healthy men and older sedentary adults. However, little is known about its efficacy in reducing arterial stiffness in chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Six participants with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of WBV training or control followed by cross-over after a 2-week washout period. WBV intervention consisted of 3 sessions of 5 min intermittent WBV per week for 4 weeks. Arterial stiffness (carotid arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity [PWV], pulse and wave analysis [PWA]) were measured before/after each intervention. [Results] No significant improvements were reported with respect to carotid arterial stiffness, PWV, and PWA between WBV and control. However, carotid arterial stiffness showed a decrease over time following WBV compared to control, but this was not significant. [Conclusion] Three days/week for 4 weeks of WBV seems too short to elicit appropriate changes in arterial stiffness in chronic stroke. However, no adverse effects were reported, indicating that WBV is a safe and acceptable exercise modality for people with chronic stroke.

Short-term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Functional Mobility and Flexibility in Healthy, Older Adults

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a relatively new approach for enhancing muscle strength, physical performance, and flexibility. The aim of this study was to examine whether short-term WBV training by using the triple-plane vertical vibration device (ie, acceleration training [AT]) improves functional mobility and flexibility in healthy, older adults. Eighteen healthy, older adults (9 men and 9 women; mean age 69.1 years; standard deviation, 2.5 years) participated in this randomized, crossover study. Two static stretching positions, half-squatting and hamstrings stretching, were performed with (AT) and without (control [Con]) vibration stimulus (frequency, 40 Hz; amplitude, 2-4 mm). The intervention consisted of stretching for 30 seconds per set × 3 sets per position, alternating between the 2 stretching positions. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was measured to determine functional mobility, which is closely linked to lower extremity muscle function. Sit-and-Reach and Functional Reach tests were performed to evaluate flexibility. Only the TUG test demonstrated a significant time × intervention interaction: TUG test results improved significantly immediately and 30 minutes after the AT but not after the Con intervention. We found significant main effects of time on the Sit-and-Reach and Functional Reach results. Furthermore, the improvement rates after the AT intervention were greater than the improvement rates after the Con intervention at the immediate and 30-minute posttests. Short-term WBV training by using the triple-plane vertical vibration device elicited a significantly larger improvement in functional mobility than training without WBV. The effect on flexibility was similar with and without vibration stimulus, but there was a greater tendency to improve with WBV training in healthy, older adults. In addition, these short-term effects were maintained for about 30 minutes.

Effect of Short-Term Whole-Body Vibration Training on Metabolic Risk Factors, Inflammatory Markers, and Arterial Stiffness

To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with whole-body vibration (WBV) training on metabolic syndrome risk, and inflammatory markers, and to compare its effects on arterial stiffness and several blood parameters related to metabolic syndrome with those of aerobic training alone. Thirty healthy participants were divided into 2 groups matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Fifteen subjects were assigned to the WBV group (WBV + aerobic training) and the other 15 to the control group (aerobic training only). All participants performed a treadmill exercise 3 days/week for 4 weeks, for 50 min after 30 min rest period. Exercise was performed at a heart rate (HR) corresponding to 60% of the HR at each individual’s maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Body weight and BMI after training were significantly lower than those before training in the WBV group (P P 2max after training was significantly higher than that before training in the WBV group (47.7 ± 12.8 vs. 51.4 ± 14.1 mL·min-1·kg-1, P

Effects of a short-term whole body vibration intervention on physical fitness in elderly people

We aimed to clarify whether a short-term whole body vibration (WBV) training has a beneficial effect on physical fitness in elderly people. Forty-nine non-institutionalized elderly (75.0±4.7 years) participated in the study. Twenty-four of them trained on a vibration platform for 11 weeks. Physical fitness included balance, lower- and upper-body strength and flexibility, agility, walking speed and endurance. In the WBV group most of the physical tests improved through the intervention (all P<0.01) while in the control group only an increment was detected in lower-body strength (P<0.05). In conclusion, a short-term WBV training is beneficial for physical fitness among elderly people.

Whole-body vibration training improves flexibility, strength profile of knee flexors, and hamstrings-to-quadriceps strength ratio in females

Short-term whole-body vibration training (WBVT) has emerged as an exercise method for improving neuromuscular performance and has been proposed for injury prevention and rehabilitation. This study investigated the effects of a short-term (≤2 months) WBVT program using a side-to-side vibration on: (i) strength profile of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF), (ii) "functional" hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (ECCKF/CONKE), (iii) flexibility and (iv) vertical jumping performance (VJ). Furthermore, we explored the retention of performance gains 21 days following WBVT. Randomized-controlled trial. Twenty-six moderately active females (20.40±0.27 years) were assigned to a vibration (VG) or a control group (CG). The short-term WBVT program consisted of sixteen-sessions on a side-to-side vibration platform (frequency: 25Hz, amplitude: 6mm, 2 sets×5min). Isokinetic and isometric peak torque of KE and KF, ECCKF/CONKE, flexibility, and VJ were measured pre, 2 days post, and 21 days following the cessation of WBVT. Post-training values of flexibility, isokinetic and isometric peak torques of KF and ECCKF/CONKE ratio were higher than pre-training values in VG (p<0.05); however, they remained unchanged in CG. Post-training values were greater in VG vs. CG (p<0.05). Twenty-one days following WBVT, post-training values were no longer significantly different than pre-training values. The short-term WBVT program had no effect on strength profile of KE and on VJ. A short-term side-to-side WBVT program improved flexibility, the strength profile of knee flexors, and the "functional" hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio in moderately active females. Coaches and clinical practitioners should consider this type of training as an effective exercise mode for improving the strength asymmetry of reciprocal muscles at the knee joint.

Improvement in Running Economy After 8 Weeks of Whole-Body Vibration Training

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week whole-body vibration (WBV) training on running economy (RE) and power performance. Twenty-four male collegiate athletes were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental (WBV) and placebo (PL) groups. The WBV subjects performed semisquat vibration training (30 Hz, ±1-2 mm, 3 times per week), whereas PL subjects performed identical training without vibration. The isometric maximum voluntary contraction tests were used to evaluate maximal isometric force (F(max)) and rate of force development (RFD) of lower extremities, before and after the intervention, and RE was measured on a level treadmill at 3 velocities (2.68, 3.13, and 3.58 m·s(-1)). The F(max) of the lower leg (plantar flexion, from 80.8 ± 24.5 to 99.0 ± 33.9 N·m, p < 0.05, η(2) = 0.567; dorsiflexion, from 38.1 ± 6.5 to 43.0 ± 7.7 N·m, p < 0.05), and the RFD of 0-200 milliseconds during plantar flexion (from 186.0 ± 69.2 to 264.6 ± 87.2 N·m·s(-1), p < 0.05, η(2) = 0.184) were significantly increased in the WBV group after training. The averaged RE values for the 3 running velocities were significantly improved after WBV training (pretraining vs. posttraining, 4.31 ± 0.33 vs. 4.65 ± 0.34 m·ml(-1)·kg(-1), p = 0.001, η(2) = 0.654); however, no significant differences were found in the PL group (pretraining vs. posttraining, 4.18 ± 0.26 vs. 4.26 ± 0.44 m·ml(-1)·kg(-1), p = 0.476). The WBV training significantly improved RE at selected speeds (∼5.0-8.5%, p < 0.05). These results indicated that short-term WBV training could be an effective stimulus to enhance RE and lower extremity power performance in competitive athletes.

THE SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON VERTICAL JUMP,SPRINT, AND AGILITY PERFORMANCE

Previous studies have suggested that short-term whole-body vibration (WBV) training produces neuromuscular improvement similar to that of power and strength training. However, it is yet to be determined whether short-term WBV exposure produces neurogenic enhancement for power, speed, and agility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect short-term WBV training had on vertical jump, sprint, and agility performance in nonelite athletes. Twenty-four sport science students (16 men and 8 women) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: WBV training or control. Each group included 8 men and 4 women. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, squat jump (SJ) height, sprint speed over 5, 10, and 20 m, and agility (505, up and back) were performed by each participant before and after 9 days of either no training (control) or WBV training. Perceived discomfort of every participant was recorded after daily WBV exposure and nonexposure. There were no significant differences between WBV and control groups for CMJ, SJ, sprints, and agility. Perceived discomfort differed between the first and subsequent days of WBV training (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference between the WBV and control groups. It is concluded that short-term WBV training did not enhance performance in nonelite athletes.

The Short-Term Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Vertical Jump, Sprint, and Agility Performance

Previous studies have suggested that short-term whole-body vibration (WBV) training produces neuromuscular improvement similar to that of power and strength training. However, it is yet to be determined whether short-term WBV exposure produces neurogenic enhancement for power, speed, and agility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect short-term WBV training had on vertical jump, sprint, and agility performance in nonelite athletes. Twenty-four sport science students (16 men and 8 women) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: WBV training or control. Each group included 8 men and 4 women. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, squat jump (SJ) height, sprint speed over 5, 10, and 20 m, and agility (505, up and back) were performed by each participant before and after 9 days of either no training (control) or WBV training. Perceived discomfort of every participant was recorded after daily WBV exposure and nonexposure. There were no significant differences between WBV and control groups for CMJ, SJ, sprints, and agility. Perceived discomfort differed between the first and subsequent days of WBV training (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference between the WBV and control groups. It is concluded that short-term WBV training did not enhance performance in nonelite athletes.