The Effect of Cycling-specific Vibration on Neuromuscular Performance

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to provide an understanding of how surface-induced vibrations in cycling interfere with short-term neuromuscular performance. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional single cohort trial. Thirty trained cyclists participated (mass = 75.9 ± 8.9 kg, body height = 1.82 ± 0.05 m, V ˙O2max = 63 ± 6.8 mL•kg −1 ⋅min −1 ). The experimental intervention included a systematic variation of the two independent variables: vibration (Vib: front dropout, 44 Hz, 4.1 mm; rear dropout, 38Hz, 3.5 mm; NoVib) and cranking power (LOW, 137 ± 14 W; MED, 221 ± 18 W; HIGH, 331 ± 65 W) from individual low to submaximal intensity. Dependent variables were transmitted accelerations to the body, muscular activation (gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, triceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris, and lumbar erector spinae), heart rate, and oxygen consumption. Results: The main findings show that the root-mean-square of local accelerations increased with vibration at the lower extremities, the torso, and the arms-shoulder system. The activation of gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, triceps brachii, and flexor carpi ulnaris increased significantly with vibration. The activation of vastus lateralis increased significantly with vibration only at HIGH cranking power. Oxygen consumption (+2.7%) and heart rate (+5%-7%) increased significantly in the presence of vibration. Conclusions: Vibration is a full-body phenomenon. However, the impact of vibration on propulsion is limited as the main propulsive muscles at the thigh are not majorly affected. The demands on the cardiopulmonary and respiratory system increased slightly in the presence of vibration.

Adding Intermittent Vibration to Varied-intensity Work Intervals: No Extra Benefit

“…%VȮ 2max sustained during cycling exercise [8,[10][11][12][13]. However, as in our study the vibration platform was only switched on during the 30-second blocks at 100%MAP, it seems reasonable to assume that a large proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibres were already recruited as a consequence of the high intensity [19,20], rendering vibration ineffective.…”

“…The literature on vibration training is equivocal 8 10 11 12 13 23 37 . While some studies report an increased oxygen cost of cycling when vibration is added 8 10 11 12 13 , others do not 23 37 . It is therefore conceivable that mechanisms unrelated to exposure time may be associated with our findings.…”

“…The literature on vibration training is equivocal 8 10 11 12 13 23 37 . While some studies report an increased oxygen cost of cycling when vibration is added 8 10 11 12 13 , others do not 23 37 .…”

“…In general, the VO 2 increments due to vibration may reflect an increased recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibres [14], which are known to have a larger oxygen cost per work unit compared with slow-twitch fibres [17,18]. This is supported by the observation that whole-body vibration reduces the recruitment threshold of fast-twitch fibres [38], which would, in turn, increase the % VO 2max sustained during cycling exercise [8,[10][11][12][13]. However, as in our study the vibration platform was switched on only during the 30-second blocks at 100 %MAP, it seems reasonable to assume that a large proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibres were already recruited as a consequence of the high intensity [19,20], rendering vibration ineffective.…”

“…A potential strategy to increase the oxygen cost of cycling is to add vibration as an extra stressor 8 10 11 12 13 . In particular, Rønnestad et al 8 reported that adding vibration to the work intervals of a HIIT session increased time>90%V̇O 2max and electromyography (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis compared with the non-vibration condition.…”