Lower extremity skin temperature and intramuscular response to whole body vibration (731.6)

Abstract

Previously established research has shown that whole body vibration (WBV) is effective at increasing intramuscular temperature (IMT) of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) at 26Hz. A “reaction” of itching and redness to WBV has been noted in prior research, but is not reported in all subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine if WBV affects skin and MG IMT differently in those exhibiting this reaction vs those with no reaction when performing a standard static semi‐squat WBV protocol. 60 subjects were screened, 10 exhibited a reaction; 6 had no reaction. Subjects completed two 5x60s bouts of WBV (26Hz, 4mm amplitude) on an oscillating platform with 15s rest between bouts. Skin and IMT were taken pre, mid (after 5 min vibration), and post 10 min of vibration. There was no difference in starting temperatures for skin or MG IMT. No significant change in skin or MG IMT of the non‐reactive group. Reactive group had significant increases in skin temperature (pre‐mid p<.0001, 2.32°C; pre‐post p<.0001, 2.57°C) and MG IMT (pre‐mid p<.0001, 1.5°C, mid‐post p<.004, 0.95°C, pre‐post p<.0001, 2.46°C). In conclusion, WBV exerts its effects upon reactive and non‐reactive groups differently. This difference could be due to histamine release due to WBV. Future research should be conducted to determine how WBV affects skin and muscle temperature or blood flow response. Grant Funding Source: None