Whole-body vibration (WBV) training in older individuals

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The below may be of interest:

Effects of whole body vibration training on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle

strength in older individuals (A 1-year randomised controlled trial).

Age Ageing. 2009 May 13. [Epub ahead of print] Links

Bogaerts AC, Delecluse C, Claessens AL, Troosters T, Boonen S, Verschueren SM.

BACKGROUND: whole body vibration (WBV) training appears to be an efficient

alternative for conventional resistance training in older individuals. So far,

no data exist about the vibratory effect on cardiorespiratory fitness.

OBJECTIVES: this randomised controlled trial assessed the effects of 1-year WBV

training on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in community-dwelling

adults over the age of 60.

METHODS: a total of 220 adults (mean age 67.1 years) were randomly assigned to a

WBV group, fitness group or control group. The WBV group exercised on a

vibration platform, and the fitness group performed cardiovascular, resistance,

balance and stretching exercises. The control group did not participate in any

training. Heart rate was measured during a single WBV session. Peak oxygen

uptake (VO(2peak)) and time-to-peak exercise (TPE) were measured during

progressive bicycle ergometry. Muscle strength was assessed by a dynamometer.

RESULTS: heart rate increased significantly during WBV training. After 1 year,

VO(2peak), TPE and muscle strength increased significantly in the WBV and

fitness groups. Both training groups improved similarly in VO(2peak) and muscle

strength. The fitness group improved significantly more in TPE than the WBV

group.

CONCLUSION: WBV training in community-dwelling elderly appears to be efficient

to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength.

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Whole-body vibration training increases muscle strength and mass in older women:

a randomized-controlled trial.

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2009 Apr 20. [Epub ahead of print] Links

To determine whether 10 weeks of whole-body vibration (WBV) training has a

significant effect on strength, muscle mass, muscle power, and mobility in older

women, 26 subjects were randomly assigned to a WBV training group (n=13; mean

age 79 years) and a control (CON) group (n=13; mean age 76 years). Maximal

voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) increased 38.8% in the WBV group, without

changes in the CON group. Electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis

(VM), the vastus lateralis, and the biceps femoris (BF) did not change in either

group. Thigh muscle cross-sectional area increased significantly after training

in VM (8.7%) and BF (15.5%). Muscle power at 20%, 40%, and 60% MVIC decreased

from pre-test to post-test in the CON group; however, WBV training prevented the

decrease in the WBV group. Consequently, mobility, measured by the Timed Up and

Go test, increased significantly after training (9.0%) only in the WBV group.

Ten weeks of lower limb WBV training in older women produces a significant

increase in muscle strength induced by thigh muscle hypertrophy, with no change

in muscle power.

The adaptations to WBV found in the present study may be of use in counteracting

the loss of muscle strength and mobility associated with age-induced sarcopenia.

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Carruthers

Wakefield, UK