Whole-Body Vibration Does Not Seem to Affect Postural Control in Healthy Active Older Women

Abstract

Objective This study investigated the acute residual effects induced by different frequencies of whole-body vibration (WBV) on postural control of elderly women. Design Thirty physically active elderly women (67 ± 5 years) were randomly divided into three groups: two experimental groups (high WBV frequency: 45 Hz and 4 mm amplitude, n = 10; low WBV frequency: 30 Hz and 4 mm amplitude, n = 10) and one control group (n = 10), with no treatment. The participants were first subjected to stabilometry tests and were then guided through three sets of isometric partial squats for 60 s while the WBV stimulation was applied. The control group was subjected to the same conditions but without the WBV stimulation. The participants were again subjected to body balance tests immediately following the end of the intervention period and again at 8, 16, and 24 min. To measure body sway control, three 60 s tests were performed at 10 s intervals for each of the following experimental conditions: (1) eyes opened and (2) eyes closed. The following variables were investigated: the average velocity of the displacement of the centre of pressure in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral planes as well as in the elliptical area. Results A 3 (condition) × 5 (test) two-way repeated-measures ANOVA did not identify significant differences in the stabilometric variables, regardless of group, time, or experimental condition. Conclusions The effect of WBV, regardless of the stimulation frequency, did not have a significant effect immediately after or up to 24 minutes after vibration cessation, on the variables involved in the control of postural stability in physically active elderly women.

The effectiveness of vibration therapy for muscle peak torque and postural control in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

“…Moreover, VT has also been shown to improve balance and proprioception, which leads to a reduction in incidents of falling [47,48]. Despite these desirable findings, there are also studies that show controversial results with regard to proprioception [49,50], rate of torque development (RTD) [12], and muscle strength [51][52][53]. To explain the reason for discrepancies, we should pay attention to whether VTs were administered via different application methods (i.e., duration, amplitude, and frequency).…”

Effectiveness and safety of subthreshold vibration over suprathreshold vibration in treatment of muscle fatigue in elderly people

“…Some studies found that suprathreshold vibration has a positive effect on decreasing the incidence of muscle fatigue[ 33 - 35 ]. Other studies found that suprathreshold vibration has a nonsignificant effect[ 36 , 37 ] and may lead to harmful effects. Furthermore, a recent meta-analysis reported that the available studies on suprathreshold muscle tendon vibration after stroke are low in their methodological qualities and additional studies of high methodological quality are required to achieve a strong agreement concerning muscle tendon vibration intervention protocols and their recommendation in clinical settings[ 38 ].…”