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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
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Published on: October 17, 2018
Exploring the effects of a 20-week whole-body vibration training programme on leg muscle performance and function in
Tom Broekmans1, Machteld Roelants, Geert Alders
1REVAL Rehabilitation & Healthcare Research Center, Department Healthcare, PHL-University College, Diepenbeek, Belgium. tom.broekmans@uhasselt.be
Objective:
To investigate the acute effects of long-term whole-body vibration on leg muscle performance and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Design:
A randomized controlled trial.
Subjects:
Twenty-five patients with multiple sclerosis (mean age 47.9 ± 1.9 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.3 ± 0.2) were assigned randomly to whole-body vibration training (n = 11) or to a control group (n = 14).
Methods:
The whole-body vibration group performed static and dynamic leg squats and lunges on a vibration platform (25-45 Hz, 2.5 mm amplitude) during a 20-week training period (5 training sessions per 2-week cycle), and the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. PRE-, MID- (10 weeks) and POST- (20 weeks) knee-muscle maximal isometric and dynamic strength, strength endurance and speed of movement were measured using isokinetic dynamometry. Function was determined through the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, Two-minute Walk Test and the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test.
Results:
Leg muscle performance and functional capacity were not altered following 10 or 20 weeks of whole-body vibration.
Conclusion:
Under the conditions of the present study, the applied 20-week whole-body vibration exercise protocol did not improve leg muscle performance or functional capacity in mild- to moderately impaired persons with multiple sclerosis during and immediately after the training programme.
