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Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease, which can affect the musculoskeletal system, particularly the hip, spine and wrist. If left untreated, osteoporosis can proceed until a bone breaks. Exercise is an excellent preventative method in dealing with the disability associated with the progression of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises are often recommended. However, with traditional vigorous exercise programs, there is a lack of long-term compliance in addition to having the potential to increase the risk of fracture. Whole body vibration exercise can be seen as an excellent alternative or complement to regular training, allowing an individual to effortlessly achieve similar results to conventional training in less time, thereby increasing compliance. 

Mechanical stress produced by muscle contractions plays a significant role in the maintenance of bone strength. WAVE vibration exercise’s ability to improve muscle force and power, may be an effective strategy for preventing the onset and progression of osteoporosis.

 
Useful Downloads & Reference Summaries
Flieger, J., Karachalios, T., Khaldi, L., Raptou, P., and Lyritis, G.  Mechanical stimulation in the form of vibration prevents postmenopausal bone loss in ovariectomized rats.  Calcif Tissue Int 1998; 63: 510-5.
This study points to the promise of vibration exercise in osteoporosis. Current results indicate that vibration is effective in preventing early postovariectomy bone loss in an animal model.
Download This file Jordan, J.  Good vibrations and strong bones?  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2005; 228: 555-6.
This editorial focuses on the human physiology of bone perfusion and its effect on osteoporosis.
Please see the uploaded research article sections that DAVE did for you

Download This file Rittweger, J. and Felsenberg, D.  Resistive vibration exercise prevents bone loss during 8 weeks of strict bed rest in healthy male subjects: Results from the Berlin BedRest (BBR) study.
This study found that resistive vibration exercise appears to completely prevent bone loss from the tibia (lower leg) during prolonged bed rest. In addition, the vibration exercise group lost half the muscle cross sectional area of the calf muscle when compared to the control.
‘interim results from Berlin Bed Rest Study

Rubin, C., Pope, M., Fritton, J.C., Magnusson, M., Hansson, T., and McLeod, K.  Transmissibility of 15-hertz to 35-hertz vibrations to the human hip and lumbar spine: determining the physiologic feasibility of delivering low-level anabolic mechanical stimuli to skeletal regions at greatest risk of fracture because of osteoporosis.  SPINE 2003; 28(23): 2621-7.
Experiments were undertaken to assess the degree of transmission of whole body vibration to the hip and lumbar spine at various frequencies of vibration (15-35 Hz). The study concludes that low level, high frequency mechanical accelerations are readily transmitted into the lower appendicular and axial skeleton of the standing individual, indicating the potential of a biomechanically based treatment for osteoporosis.

Russo, C.R., Laurentani, F., Bandinelli, S., Bartali, B., Cavazzini, C., Guralnik, J.M., and Ferrucci, L.  High-frequency vibration training increases muscle power in postmenopausal women.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003; 84(12): 1854-7.
This study assessed the impact of a 6 month vibration training program (6 minutes per session, twice weekly) on muscle power in post menopausal women. The study found a 5% increase in muscle power, indicating that reflex muscular contractions induced by vibration exercise can improve muscle power.

Download This file Schiessl, H. and Willnecker, J.  New insights about the relationship between bone strength and muscle strength.
Muscle strength and bone strength are closely related. This paper shows a linear dependence of muscle mass and bone mass.
‘new insights about relationship between bone strength and muscle strength’
Download This file Stewart, J.M., Carman, C., Montgomery, L.D., and McLeod, K.J.  Plantar vibration improves leg fluid flow in perimenopausal women.  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2005; 288: 623-9.
This study addressed the hypothesis of whether plantar vibration operated by way of the skeletal muscle pump, thereby resulting in enhanced blood flow and fluid flow to the lower body. At a frequency of 45 Hz, impedance-measured supine blood flows were significantly increased in the calf (30%), pelvic (26%), and thoracic regions (20%).The study found that plantar vibration serves to significantly enhance peripheral and systemic blood flow, peripheral lymphatic flow, and venous drainage.
‘plantar vibration improves fluid flow”

Verschueren, S.M.P., Roelants, M., Delecluse, C., Swinnen, S., Vanderschueren, D., and Boonen, S.  Effect of 6-Month Whole Body Vibration Training on Hip Density, Muscle Strength, and Postural Control in Postmenopausal Women:  A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.  Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2004; 19(3): 352-9.
This study compared the effects of vibration training on hip density, muscle strength and postural control, compared to a control group of resistance training and a group that did not engage in any activity. No vibration-related side effects were observed.The vibration training group significantly increased BMD (Bone Mineral Density) of the hip (net 1.5%), and improved isometric and dynamic muscle strength (15 and 16% respectively). No changes in hip BMD was noted in the women participating in resistance training or age-matched controls. This study concludes that vibration training may be a feasible and effective way to modify well recognized risk factors for falls and fractures in older women.
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