The effect of flexi-bar exercise with vibration on trunk muscle thickness and balance in university students in their twenties

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of Flexi-Bar exercise with vibration on trunk muscle thickness and balance in university students in their twenties. [Subjects and Methods] This research evaluated 26 university students in their twenties, equally and randomly divided into two groups. Both the experimental and control groups used an ordinary pole for exercise. In addition, the experimental group exercised by using a Flexi-Bar. Ultrasonic imaging was used to measure the changes in trunk muscle thickness. A balance measuring equipment was used to measure balance ability.[Results] The thickness of the transversus abdominis and the multifidus muscles in the experimental group increased, and the experimental group showed increased thickness in the transversus abdominis muscle compared to the control group. After 6 months of exercise, there was an improvement in the blind Romberg test and center of pressure moving distance with one-leg standing. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the Flexi-Bar exercise is effective in increasing trunk muscle thickness and improving balance.

Effects of active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke

“…The Flexi-Bar exercise reportedly effectively improved balance in football players 7 ) . Moreover, applying this exercise to normal people effectively improved trunk muscle and balance ability 5 ) . Active vibration exercise using the Flexi-Bar can help improve static and dynamic stability, as the subject can control vibration speed and amplitude 4 , 8 ) .…”

“…In stroke rehabilitation, the recovery of independent balance and walking ability becomes an important goal 3 ) . A Flexi-Bar is a vibrating exercise equipment that uses 4.6-Hz vibrations generated by shaking a 153-cm stick and can help improve static and dynamic stability by controlling the vibration speed and amplitude generated actively by the subject rather than by manual vibration using a mechanical force 4 , 5 ) . An active vibration exercise using Flexi-Bar is effective for muscle coordination because it causes tonic vibration reflex in enthesis and stimulates the proprioceptive senses of joint, and because the vibration leads to contraction in turns on agonist and antagonist to adjust instability during an exercise.…”

“…An active vibration exercise using Flexi-Bar is effective for muscle coordination because it causes tonic vibration reflex in enthesis and stimulates the proprioceptive senses of joint, and because the vibration leads to contraction in turns on agonist and antagonist to adjust instability during an exercise. Vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar is reportedly effective at improving trunk muscle thickness and balance 5 ) . It has also been reported that exercise using a sling and Flexi-Bar is effective at reducing pain and increasing muscle activity in patients with rotator cuff repair 6 ) .…”

Effects of Flexible Pole Training Combined with Lumbar Stabilization on Trunk Muscles Activation in Healthy Adults

“…In recent years, flexible pole exercises using vibration stimulation have commonly have been used to improve body strength and improve coordination and balance skills in various fitness centers and rehabilitation institutions. 11,12 Muscles can be strengthen when the neuromuscular stimulation…”

Efeito agudo do estímulo vibratório com barra flexível na ativação dos músculos escapulares em indivíduos com e sem a síndrome da dor subacromial

“…Diversos estudos foram realizados utilizando barras flexíveis com o objetivo de investigar a atividade EMG dos músculos tronco, cervical, abdominal e do ombro durante exercício com barra flexível em indivíduos saudáveis (Arora et al, 2013;Choi et al, 2015;Chung et al, 2015;Doroudian et al, 2019;Kim, 2016, 2017;Kim et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2018Lee et al, , 2016Mileva et al, 2010;Oliver et al, 2013). Estudos que avaliaram a atividade dos músculos escapulotorácicos durante a oscilação da barra flexível demonstraram que, em indivíduos assintomáticos, estes músculos apresentam maior ativação quando comparados à barra não flexível de mesma massa e comprimento e o exercício com barra flexível leva a uma maior ativação muscular em indivíduos jovens saudáveis quando comparado a outros dispositivos de resistência como halteres e faixas elásticas (Lister et al, 2016;Parry et al, 2012).…”