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Whole body vibration exercise: training and benefits
Dennis G Dolny1, G Francis Cisco Reyes
1Department HPERD, University of Idaho, College of Education, Human Performance Laboratory, Moscow, ID 83844, USA. ddolny@uidaho.edu
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|May 15, 2008
Summary
Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise may improve muscle performance, especially in sedentary and elderly individuals. Research is ongoing to determine optimal WBV training parameters for diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Whole Body Vibration (WBV) platforms are increasingly explored for their potential to enhance muscle activity and performance.
- WBV technology involves frequencies of 15-60 Hz and vertical displacements of 1-11 mm, generating significant accelerations.
- Existing research presents varied outcomes regarding acute WBV effects on muscle performance metrics like jumping and sprinting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exercise in improving muscle performance across different populations.
- To investigate the impact of WBV on flexibility and bone mineral density.
- To identify potential benefits and limitations of WBV training.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies examining acute and chronic exposure to WBV exercise.
- Analysis of WBV effects on muscle performance, flexibility, and bone mineral density.
- Comparison of WBV training outcomes with traditional resistance exercise.
Main Results:
- Acute WBV exposure yielded inconsistent results for jump, sprint, and muscle performance.
- Younger, fit individuals may require added external loads during WBV to see performance gains.
- Sedentary and elderly populations demonstrated significant muscle performance improvements with WBV, comparable to traditional training.
- WBV training showed improvements in flexibility for younger athletes and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Conclusions:
- WBV exercise shows promise for enhancing muscle performance, particularly in sedentary and elderly individuals.
- Benefits in flexibility and bone mineral density have been observed, warranting further investigation.
- Optimal WBV training parameters require additional research to maximize benefits across various demographics.
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