Whole-Body Vibration and Blood Flow and Muscle Oxygenation: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Context:The use and popularity of whole-body vibration (WBV) has increased in recent years, but there is a lack of consensus in the literature about the effectiveness of the treatment.Objective: To quantitatively examine the effects of WBV on muscle oxygenation and peripheral blood flow in healthy adults.Data Sources: We searched Web of Science and PubMed databases and reference lists from relevant articles using the key terms whole body vibration, whole-body vibration, WBV, blood flow, peripheral blood flow, oxygenation, muscle oxygenation, circulation, circulatory, near infrared spectroscopy, NIRS, and power Doppler. Key terms were searched using single word and combination searches. No date range was specified.Study Selection: Criteria for inclusion were (1) use of a commercially available WBV device, (2) a human research model, (3) a pre-WBV condition and at least 1 WBV experimental condition, and (4) reporting of unstandardized means and standard deviations of muscle oxygenation or peripheral blood flow.Data Extraction: Means, standard deviations, and sample sizes were extracted from the text, tables, and figures of included studies. A total of 35 and 90 data points were extracted for the muscle-oxygenation and blood-flow meta-analyses, respectively. Data for each meta-analysis were combined and analyzed using meta-analysis software. Weighted, randomeffects meta-analyses using the Hedges g metric were completed for muscle oxygenation and blood flow. We then conducted follow-up analyses using the moderator variables of vibration type, vibration time, vibration frequency, measurement location, and sample type.Data Synthesis: We found 18 potential articles. Further examination yielded 10 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Whole-body vibration was shown to positively influence peripheral blood flow. Additionally, the moderators of vibration type and frequency altered the influence of WBV on blood flow. Overall, WBV did not alter muscle oxygenation; however, when the measurement site was considered, muscle oxygenation increased or decreased depending on the location.Conclusions: Acute bouts of WBV increase peripheral blood flow but do not alter skeletal muscle oxygenation. Vibration type appears to be the most important factor influencing both muscle oxygenation and peripheral blood flow. Key Words: interventions, modalities, circulatory system Key PointsAn acute bout of therapeutic whole-body vibration (WBV) increases peripheral blood flow but does not alter muscleoxygenation levels. Vibration type and frequency affect peripheral blood flow and muscle oxygenation during an acute bout of WBV. Additional work examining the effects of WBV on circulatory measures in injured populations is needed. Although WBV is promising when used in healthy people, clinicians should be cautious in applying WBV as a therapeutic modality to improve vascular measures after injury or illness.O ver the past decade, the incorporation of wholebody vibration (WBV) into fitness and injury treatment programs has expanded rapidly.1,2 R...

A systematic review of studies investigating the effects of controlled whole‐body vibration intervention on peripheral circulation

“…As we observed, compared to vertical WBV, exposure to side‐alternating WBV induced better positive responses in peripheral circulation which corresponds to the findings by Games et al. () on such responses. However, in the future, the studies should clarify the clear response patterns in peripheral circulation from exposure of subjects to both vertical and side‐alternating type of WBV.…”

“…On the other hand, the same group of researchers found a significant increase in BF while using lower vibration frequency (30 Hz) with a lower magnitude of WBV (Lohman et al, 2007). In a recent meta-analysis of relevant studies, Games et al (2015) also suggested that exposure to WBV of lower frequencies resulted in a greater response in peripheral BF than did higher frequencies. It has been postulated that exposure to WBV causes activation of muscle spindle receptors with subsequent generation of vibration tonic reflexes causing an increase in muscle metabolic demand and oxygen consumption (Cardinale & Wakeling, 2005;Coup e et al, 2011;Kasai et al, 1992;Kerschan-Schindl et al, 2001;Rothmuller & Cafarelli, 1995).…”

“…Furthermore, there is a severe lack of review studies that focused on the specific patterns of alterations in peripheral circulation induced by exposure to WBV of different frequencies with consideration of the exposure limit specified in ISO 2631-1 (1997) or EU Directive 2002/44/EU (2002. In a relevant systematic review including meta-analysis, Games et al (2015) reported positive and greater influence of WBV on peripheral blood flow at lower frequencies, but the authors did not consider the influence of vibration intensity or magnitude on peripheral circulation making the interpretation of their observed positive effects of WBV on peripheral circulation difficult. A clear understanding of useful vibration-related parameters, especially frequency and magnitude, should help the clinicians and researchers in ensuring safe and effective applications of WBV interventions to human subjects for the mentioned purpose.…”

Potential Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercises on Blood Flow Kinetics of Different Populations: A Systematic Review With a Suitable Approach

“…One additional study (Menéndez et al, 2016) was in the personal file of an author of this revision ( Figure 1). A screening of the titles excluded fourteen articles and then the remaining 10 studies were analyzed concerning the eligibility criteria, and two of these were removed: a meta-analysis (Games et al, 2015) and a study based on segmental body vibration (Maloney-Hinds et al, 2008). Finally, eight publications with a total of 142 participants (59% male) with age ranging from 18 up to 79 years old were analyzed.…”

“…However, when the effects of vibration are considered, several mechanisms may underline the increase of blood flow observed after WBV exposure (Games et al, 2015). In a meta-analysis Games et al, 2013 suggested that metabolic, humoral, and neuronal factors would potentially play relevant roles to justify the physiological basis of the increase of the blood flow due to the WBVE.…”