Whole-body vibration training in middle-aged females: improving muscle flexibility and the power of lower limbs

Abstract

Purpose Physical inactivity in conjunction with biological aging may lead to a decline in flexibility and neuromuscular function, contributing to physical frailty and an increased risk of injuries. Although, whole-body vibration has gained popularity as an alternative mode of exercise for improving physical fitness, only few studies examined the effects of WBV training on fitness parameters in middleaged individuals and the outcomes are not clear. This study investigated the effects of a 2-month whole-body vibration training (WBVT) program using a side-to-side vibration mode on flexibility, on power of lower limbs and on isokinetic peak torque of middle-aged women. Methods Twenty-four middle-aged untrained females (43.96 ± 3.28 years) were assigned to a vibration (WBVG) or a control group (CG). The WBVT program consisted of twenty-four sessions on a side-to-side vibration platform (frequency 20-25 Hz, amplitude 6 mm, duration 6-8 min). Flexibility, vertical jumping performance (VJ), and isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) were measured prior to and 2 days following the completion of WBVT. Results Post-training values of flexibility and VJ were significantly higher vs. pre-training values in WBVG (p \ 0.001-p \ 0.01); they remained unchanged in CG. Post-training flexibility and VJ values were significantly greater in WBVG vs. CG (p \ 0.001-p \ 0.05). The WBVT program had no effect on isokinetic peak torque of KE and KF. Conclusions An 8-week WBVT program improved flexibility and VJ in middle-aged untrained females and should be used by health and fitness professionals for counteracting the detrimental effects of sedentary lifestyle on flexibility and power of lower limbs.

Does Obesity Affect Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Adaptations after a 3-Month Combined Exercise Program in Untrained Premenopausal Middle-Aged Women?

“…During the last decades, the American College of Sports Medicine has recommended a combined exercise program consisting of aerobic and strength training as the most effective approach for counteracting the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle and reducing the prevalence of health risk factors in obese, overweight, and lean individuals [4]. For this reason, sports and health professionals all over the world design and implement different serial and integrated combined exercise programs using various activities, demonstrating promising results in different health, functional capacity, and physical fitness parameters [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]41,42]. The present study designed and implemented, with success (without adverse effects) in both obese and lean individuals, a supervised integrated combined exercise program including aerobic and strength training, assessing a comprehensive health, functional capacity, and physical fitness profile.…”

“…[1-3]. Exercise has multiple positive benefits on both the physical and mental health of obese, overweight, and lean individuals [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. It is important to mention, however, that the training adaptations (acute or long-term) are likely affected by obesity.…”

Effects of whole-body vibration training frequency on neuromuscular performance: a randomized controlled study

“…training and health status, age) are important factors that could affect the efficacy of long-term WBV training programmes. That is, long-term WBV training programmes have been shown to improve neuromuscular performance especially in untrained and elderly individuals, whereas no significant improvements have been reported in young trained individuals [11–12, 16].…”

Effect of Post-Exercise Whole Body Vibration with Stretching on Mood State, Fatigue, and Soreness in Collegiate Swimmers

“…During static stretching, the stretches are often held slightly beneath the pain barrier, or when tightness is felt without pain, subsequently resulting in improved muscle elasticity [ 7 , 11 ]. The use of WBV has been shown to improve flexibility when used as a recovery aid [ 6 , 12 ]. Further, consistent static stretching performed in conjunction with WBV has also been shown to improve flexibility [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], albeit through different mechanisms.…”