Effectiveness of Whole-Body Vibration Training to Improve Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older Adults: Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) is emerging as an alternative exercise method that be easily performed by older adults. This clinical trial investigates the efficacy of WBVT in improving muscle strength and physical performance before resistance exercise, in comparison to conventional resistance exercise after stretching exercise in older adults. The WBVT group (n = 20) performed WBVT using a vibrating platform (SW-VC15™), followed by strengthening exercises. The control group (n = 20) performed stretching instead of WBVT. Both groups underwent a total of 12 sessions (50 min per session). The primary outcome was isokinetic dynamometer. The secondary outcomes were grip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), a 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and body composition analysis. In all results, only the time effect was significant, and the group effect or time x group effect was not. Both groups showed a significant increase in isokinetic dynamometer. Although there was no significant group effect, the increase in mean peak torque was greater in the WBVT group. The only WBVT group showed significant improvement in SPPB. In SF-36, only the control group showed significant improvements. WBVT can be safely performed by older adults and may be an alternative exercise method to boost the effect of strengthening exercise.

Impact of Two Whole-Body Vibration Exercise Protocols on Body Composition of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In the current study, undesirable effects (headache, nausea, dizziness) related to WBVE interventions were not reported by the patients and, following this consideration, this type of exercise could be considered safe, viable and may be a good training option for people with difficulty in performing conventional exercises, as MSy patients [46,47].…”

Whole body vibration accelerates the functional recovery of motor nerve components in sciatic nerve-crush injury model rats

“…Furthermore, these patients cannot always do such dynamic exercises in the acute stage postoperatively. In such cases, if WBV can be applied to patients in the sitting or supine positions, injury recovery at both motor nerve and skeletal muscle might be facilitated even though classical dynamic exercises are not performed ( Berner et al, 2020 ; Jo et al, 2021 ; Yin et al, 2022 ).…”

“…The vibration stimulus is divided into two types of stimuli: focal vibration ( Fattorini et al, 2021 ; Tahir et al, 2022 ) and whole body vibration (WBV) ( Costantino et al, 2014 ; Yang et al, 2022 ). Both vibration types affect blood flow ( Betik et al, 2021 ; Tahir et al, 2022 ), stretching ( Kurt, 2015 ), and pain relief ( Hansson and Ekblom, 1986 ; Rittweger et al, 2002 ; Wu et al, 2022 ), and additionally, the WBV induces muscle contraction ( Berner et al, 2020 ; Jo et al, 2021 ). In addition, the beneficial nerve effects on both types of vibration are already published in animal or human research.…”

Passive exercise is an effective alternative to HRT for restoring OVX induced mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle

“…The benefits span both physical and cognitive domains, with advantages including a lower exercise threshold, reduced physical burden, and positive implications in rehabilitation ( 23 – 25 ). Notably, among diverse passive exercise methods, whole-body vibration training (WBVT) emerges as a standout approach, gaining recognition as an alternative exercise method ( 24 ). In our study, we chose WBVT as a passive intervention to investigate its impact on skeletal muscle function in OVX mice by assessing mitochondrial status.…”