Effect of 4-min Vertical Whole Body Vibration on Muscle Performance and Body Balance: A Randomized Cross-over Study

Abstract

The purpose of this randomized cross-over study was to investigate the effects of a 4-min long, 2-mm vertically-vibrating vibration-exercise on muscle performance and body balance in healthy subjects. Sixteen volunteers (eight men and women aged 18-35 years) underwent both the 4-min vibration- and sham-interventions in a randomized order on different days. Performance- and balance-tests (stability platform, grip strength, extension strength of lower extremities, tandem-walk, vertical jump and shuttle-run) were done 10 minutes before (baseline) and 2 and 60 minutes after the intervention. In addition, the effect of vibration on the surface electromyography (EMG) of soleus, vastus lateralis, gluteus medius, and paravertebralis muscles was investigated during the vibration. The 4-min vibration-loading did not induce any statistically significant change in the performance- or balance-tests at the 2- or 60-min tests. Interestingly, however, the mean power frequency of the EMG in the vastus lateralis and gluteus medius muscles decreased during the vibration-intervention, indicating muscle fatigue, particularly in the hip region. It was concluded that a 4-min long, 2-mm vertically-vibrating vibration-stimulus did not induce changes in the performance and balance tests. Future studies should focus on evaluating the effects of different kinds of vibration-regimens, as well as the long-term effects of vibration-training, on body balance and muscle performance, and, as a broader objective, on bone.

Determining the Optimal Whole-Body Vibration Dose–response Relationship for Muscle Performance

“…Similarly, Torvinen et al (38) found no significant improvement in CMJ after the application of durations .1 minute (4 minutes). According to the authors, it seems that the amplitude of 2 mm used in this study was not enough to induce positive neuromuscular responses.…”

“…Several studies have looked at the effects of WBV on muscle performance. However, the results are not clear and are sometimes contradictory (9,(13)(14)(15)17,21,22,25,35,38,39 AU7 ). The variability in the protocols used by different authors may explain the inconsistency of the results presented in published studies (13).…”

Effect of a vigorous aerobic regimen on physical performance in breast cancer patients — a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…This test has been found sensitive to show trainingrelated effects in physical performance among preand postmenopausal women [20,24]. Dynamic maximal take-off force and power were measured with a force-plate (Kistler Ergojump 1.04, Kistler Instrumente AG, Winterthur, Switzerland) during counter movement jump with a precision of about 3% [25]. Maximal isometric leg extension and arm flexion strength values were measured with isometric leg press (Tamtron, Tampere, Finland) and arm (Digitest, Muurame, Finland) dynamometers with a precision of about 5% and 10%, respectively [21,25].…”

“…Dynamic maximal take-off force and power were measured with a force-plate (Kistler Ergojump 1.04, Kistler Instrumente AG, Winterthur, Switzerland) during counter movement jump with a precision of about 3% [25]. Maximal isometric leg extension and arm flexion strength values were measured with isometric leg press (Tamtron, Tampere, Finland) and arm (Digitest, Muurame, Finland) dynamometers with a precision of about 5% and 10%, respectively [21,25]. Two-kilometer walking time (a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) was assessed with the two kilometer walk test (UKK walk test, Tampere, Finland) with a precision of 2.2% [26].…”

Electromyographic activity during maximal isometric contraction combined with local sinusoidal vibration

“…When wave parameters (frequency, amplitude and acceleration) are changed, the stimulus to the neuromuscular system is modified as well [9,15,16] thus masking the effect. A rigorously controlled study in vibration training is very difficult since apart from the vibration parameters, the characteristics of the stimulus (duration, recovery interval, number of repetitions) and of the muscular activation level are essential to determine the system responses [12].…”