Whole‐body vibration influences lower extremity circulatory and neurological function

Abstract

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is currently used to enhance performance and treat injuries even though we lack an understanding of how WBV influences physiological processes. An improved understanding of the physiological effects of WBV could lead to protocols to speed healing or treat pathologies. This study examined the acute effects of WBV on peripheral blood perfusion, muscle oxygenation, motoneuron pool excitability, and sensory nerve conduction velocity. Fourteen healthy participants [9 women (21.7 ± 2.4 years); 5 men (20.8 ± 1.1 years)] completed a 5 min bout of WBV (50 Hz, 2 mm amplitude). Measures were assessed pre-treatment and at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min post-treatment. WBV significantly increased superficial skin temperature (P < 0.0005) and total hemoglobin (P = 0.009), had no effect of oxyhemoglobin (P = 0.186), increased deoxyhemoglobin (P < 0.0005), inhibited the soleus Hoffmann reflex (P = 0.007), and had no effect on sural sensory nerve conduction velocity (P = 0.695). These results suggest that an acute bout of WBV influences physiological processes in both the circulatory and the nervous systems.

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

“…[8][9][10][11][12] The influence of WBV on peripheral blood flow and muscle oxygen use is of special interest, as these measures provide insight into the metabolic changes occurring in skeletal muscle. Blood flow and muscle oxygenation are closely related.…”

“…Of the 10 studies included in the final analyses, muscle oxygenation was measured in 5 studies, 8,9,[16][17][18] and peripheral blood flow was measured in 8 studies. [8][9][10]16,[20][21][22][23] Authors of 3 studies 8,9,16 examined both muscle-oxygenation changes and peripheral blood-flow changes.…”

“…1,2 Researchers have demonstrated that WBV can improve aspects of physical performance, such as strength [3][4][5] and flexibility, 6,7 whereas evidence regarding the physiologic changes associated with therapeutic WBV remains unclear. [8][9][10][11][12] The influence of WBV on peripheral blood flow and muscle oxygen use is of special interest, as these measures provide insight into the metabolic changes occurring in skeletal muscle. Blood flow and muscle oxygenation are closely related.…”

“…Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a tool commonly used to examine the effect of WBV on muscle oxygen use. 8,9,12,[16][17][18] The NIRS noninvasively and indirectly measures changes in oxygensaturation levels by penetrating superficial structures (eg, skin) and being absorbed by hemoglobin or scattered into the tissue. The amount of near-infrared light scattered and absorbed indicates the level of oxygenated hemoglobin.…”

“…The amount of near-infrared light scattered and absorbed indicates the level of oxygenated hemoglobin. 19 Authors of WBV studies of peripheral blood flow have used NIRS 8,9,16 and 2 other methods of assessment: laser Doppler 10,20 and Doppler ultrasound. [21][22][23] Laser Doppler uses light wavelength changes to calculate the number and velocity of blood cells in the region of interest.…”