Bosco, C., Cardinale, M., and Tsarpela, O. Influence of vibration on mechanical power and electromyogram activity in human arm flexor muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 1999; 79(4): 306-11.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vibration on muscle power in a group of international level boxers. Vibration treatment consisted of 1 minute each of vibration stimulus during arm flexion in isometric conditions with 1-minute rest in between. Results showed that there was statistically significant enhancement of the average power in the arm treated by vibration compared to the control (no vibration). In addition, EMG readings before and during the treatment itself showed an enormous increase in neural activity during vibration up to more than twice the baseline value.
Bosco, C., Colli, R., Introini, E., Cardinale, M., Tsarpela, O., Madella, A., Tihanyi, J. and Viru, A. Adaptive responses of human skeletal muscle to vibration exposure. Clinical Physiology 1999; 19(2): 183-7.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration exercise on the mechanical behaviour of human skeletal muscle. Female volleyball players at the national level were utilized. Results showed a remarkable and statistically significant enhancement of the vibration group in average velocity, average force and average power generated. It was concluded that enhancement could be caused by neural factors.
Bosco, C., Iacovelli, M., Tsarpela, O., Cardinale, M., Bonifazi, M., Tihanyi, J., Viru, M., De Lorenzo, A., and Viru, A. Hormonal responses to whole-body vibration in men. Eur J Appl Physiol 2000; 81: 449-54.
The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of vibration exercise on blood hormone concentrations and neuromuscular performance. Results showed a significant increase in plasma concentrations of testosterone and growth hormone, whereas the stress hormone cortisol had a significant decrease. In addition, there was increased power of the muscles tested, indicating that the biological mechanism produced by vibration is similar to the effect produced by explosive power training (jumping and bouncing).
Cardinale, M. and Lim, J. The acute effects of two different whole body vibration frequencies on vertical jump performance. Med Sport 2003; 56: 287-92.
As in conventional training, different doses of exercise intensities can produce different results in performance. This study evaluated the adaptive responses to different whole-body vibration frequencies. Low frequency vibration (20Hz) was shown to significantly increase hamstring flexibility by 10.1 % and squat jump by 4%. High frequency vibration produced a significant decrease in squat jump (-3.8%) and in counter movement jump (-3.6). The results showed, especially in untrained subjects, acute enhancement in neuromuscular performance with low frequency whole-body vibration stimulation.
Delecluse, C., Roelants, M., and Verschueren, S. Strength increase after whole-body vibration compared with resistance training. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2003; 1033-41.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 12 week period of vibration exercise training on knee-extensor strength compared to resistance training. Results showed an increase in isometric and dynamic knee-extensor strength by 16.6% and 14.4% in the vibration training and resistance training groups, respectively. The study concluded that vibration training has the potential to induce strength gain in knee extensors of previously untrained females to the same extent as resistance training at moderate intensity. Also, it clearly showed that the strength increases after vibration training are not attributable to a placebo effect.
Issurin, V.B. Vibrations and their applications in sport: a review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2005; 45: 324-6.
An excellent review of the current literature to date regarding the use of vibration training in sports. The review outlines several different areas, including 1. Difference between vibratory massage and vibration training, 2. Use of vibration for flexibility training, 3. The acute effects of vibration stimulus during strength exercises, and 4. Cumulative effects of vibration stimulation during strength exercises.
Issurin, V.B. and Tenenbaum, G. Acute and residual effects of vibratory stimulation on explosive strength in elite and amateur athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences 1999; 17: 177-82.
Study found that the average gain in maximal power owing to vibratory stimulation was greater among elite athletes. The reason for the marked difference may be attributable to the higher sensitivity of muscle receptors and the central nervous system of elite athletes to additional stimulation. In summary, the superimposed vibration produced a significant facilitation of an explosive strength exertion.
Luo, J., McNamara, B., and Moran, K. The use of vibration training to enhance muscle strength and power. Sports Med 2005; 35(1): 23-41.
This was a review of the current literature on vibration training. Points discussed in this review include the following:
• Vibration training may have a beneficiary acute and/or chronic training effect on strength and power enhancement.
• The effect on strength and power appears dependent upon the vibration characteristics (method of application, amplitude and frequency) and exercise protocols (training type, intensity and volume) employed.
To activate the muscles most effectively, vibration frequency should be in the range of 30-50 Hz.
• The employment of a greater exercise intensity and volume within a vibration training program may facilitate a larger enhancement in strength and power.
• Benefits from vibration training may be greater in elite athletes than non-elite athletes.
McBride, J.M., Porcari, J.P., Scheunke, M.D. Effect of vibration during fatiguing resistance exercise on subsequent muscle activity during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. J Strength Cond Res 2004; 18(4): 777-81.
The aim of this study was to investigate if vibration during fatiguing resistance exercise would alter associated patterns of muscle activity. The EMG patterns observed with vibration training may indicate a more efficient and effective recruitment of high threshold motor units during fatiguing contractions, indicating that vibration training with resistance exercise may be an effective tool for strength training athletes.
Rittweger, J., Mutschelknauss, M., and Felsenberg, D. Acute changes in neuromuscular excitability after exhaustive whole body vibration exercise as compared to exhaustion by squatting exercise. Clin Physiol & Func Im 2003; 23: 81-6.
This study examined the effects of hard squatting exercise with and without vibration on neuromuscular function. Results indicate that superimposed vibration appears to elicit an alteration in neuromuscular recruitment patterns, which apparently enhances neuromuscular excitability.
Torvinen, S., Kannus, P., Sievänen, H., Järvinen, T.E.H., Pasanen, M., Kontulainen, S., Järvinen, T.L.N., Järvinen, M., Oja, P., and Vuori, I. Effect of a vibration exposure on muscular performance and body balance. Randomized cross-over study. Clin Physiol & Func Im 2002; 22: 145-52.
This randomized cross-over study examined the effects of a 4-minute vibration bout on muscle performance and body balance in young, healthy subjects. Results showed a transient 2.5% net benefit in the jump height, 3.2% benefit in the isometric extension strength of lower extremities and 15.7% improvement in the body balance.
Torvinen, S., Kannus, P., Sievänen, H., Järvinen, T.E.H., Pasanen, M., Kontulainen, S., Järvinen, T.L.N., Järvinen, M., Oja, P., and Vuori, I. Effect of four-month vertical whole body vibration on performance and balance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002; 34(9): 1523-8.
This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of a 4-month vibration training program on muscle performance and body balance on young, healthy, non athletic adults. Results indicate an 8.5% net improvement in the jump height. Lower limb extension strength increased after the 2 month mark, resulting in a 3.7% net benefit for the vibration group However, this benefit diminished at the 4 month mark. The study concluded that vibration training enhanced jumping power in young adults, suggesting neuromuscular adaptation to the vibration stimulus.
Van den Tillaar, R. Will whole-body vibration training help increase the range of motion on the hamstrings? J Strength Cond Res. 2006; 20(1): 192-6.
This study examined whether vibration training would have a positive effect on hamstring flexibility compared to a control group. Both groups underwent a stretching program 3 times per week for 4 weeks according to the contract-release method, which consisted of a 5 second isometric contraction with each leg 3 times followed by a 30 second static stretch. Results indicate that there was a significantly larger increase (30%) in range of motion (ROM) of the group undergoing vibration training when compared to the control group (14%). |
