Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Whole Body Vibration Methods with Survivors of Polio
Published on: October 17, 2018
Whole-body vibration reduces hamstrings neuromuscular function in uninjured individuals
Cale Chaltron1, David A Sherman2, Derek N Pamukoff3
1University of Kentucky, Athletics Department, Lexington, KY, 40506, United States.
Objectives:
Despite the growing use of whole-body vibration (WBV) to enhance quadriceps neuromuscular function, the hamstrings-specific response is unclear among those without neuromuscular impairment, which is important to inform performance-based recommendations. Our objective was to determine the immediate and prolonged effects of WBV on hamstrings and quadriceps neuromuscular function in uninjured individuals.
Design:
Crossover.
Setting:
Laboratory.
Participants:
Nineteen, recreationally active individuals performed WBV and control exercise protocols, consisting of six 1-min repetitions of isometric squats, on separate days in a randomized order.
Main Outcome Measures:
Electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, antagonist-to-agonist co-activation, rate of torque development, and peak torque of the hamstrings and quadriceps were measured pre-, immediately post-, and 20 min post-condition. Percentage change scores were calculated from baseline to each post-measurement.
Results:
A condition main effect indicated that WBV reduced agonist semitendinosus EMG amplitudes more than the control (-12.1% vs. -1.5%, p < .001). Antagonist vastus medialis EMG amplitudes were reduced immediately, but not 20 min following WBV (-7.1% vs. 3.5%, p < .001).
Conclusions:
WBV induced an inhibitory effect on medial hamstrings activity during knee flexion contraction in a majority of our sample, yet this response was not uniformly observed and its functional relevance remains unclear in an uninjured population.
