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Vascular adaptations induced by 6 weeks WBV resistance exercise training
Tobias Weber1, Åsa Beijer, André Rosenberger
1Department of Space Physiology, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany. tobias.weber@dlr.de
Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
|February 7, 2013
Summary
Whole-body vibration (WBV) added to resistance exercise did not significantly alter long-term vascular adaptations in healthy adults. This study found no specific benefits of WBV on arterial structure or function compared to resistance exercise alone.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Growing interest in whole-body vibration (WBV) effects on the cardiovascular system.
- Limited knowledge on long-term vascular adaptations to WBV in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term vascular adaptations in healthy humans when whole-body vibration (WBV) is superimposed on conventional resistance exercise.
- To compare changes in arterial diameter, intima media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) between resistance exercise with and without WBV.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week training study with a 70-day follow-up period.
- Participants underwent resistive exercise with or without superimposed whole-body vibrations.
- Arterial parameters (diameter, intima media thickness, FMD) were assessed using ultrasonography in the superficial femoral, brachial, and carotid arteries.
Main Results:
- Superficial femoral artery resting diameter increased significantly with training, but without differences between groups.
- Carotid artery wall thickness was significantly reduced, but this effect was not specific to the WBV group.
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) remained unaffected in all investigated arteries and across both intervention groups.
Conclusions:
- The addition of whole-body vibration (WBV) to resistance exercise does not appear to confer specific long-term vascular benefits in healthy, asymptomatic individuals.
- Findings suggest that the effects of WBV on vascular adaptation may differ between ambulatory and bed-rest conditions.
- Potential differences in endothelial shear stress responses might explain the variance compared to studies in bed-rest settings.
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