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SPORTS PERFORMANCE RELATED QUESTIONS

1. How are strength gains developed through this technology?
An improvement in muscular strength is one of the most important benefits of the WAVE. Muscular strength increases follow a certain path:
    • Neurological adaptation.
    • Muscular adaptation and hypertrophy

Muscular adaptations occur through an increase in the cross sectional area of muscle fibers, thereby improving the contraction properties of muscle tissue leading to a maximal contraction that provides more force and power. Muscle hypertrophy usually begins after 4 to 6 weeks of training.

Vibration training on the other hand, accelerates strength through neurological adaptation. This means that strength will increase through improvements in the quality of muscle contraction. For the untrained individual, there is a definite lack of control of muscle fibers. Magnetic resonance imaging has even shown that the whole muscle is not used during a maximal contraction. With the WAVE, there is nearly 100 percent recruitment of muscle fibers, thereby allowing an accelerated improvement in initial strength. 

2. I’ve hit a plateau with my training. How can the WAVE help me overcome this?
With any athlete, a plateau occurs due to various reasons. Some have maximized the ‘muscular adaptation’ response of their muscles (see question 1), while others may be over-training and not recovering quickly enough. Whatever your reason, WAVE vibration will help.

WAVE vibration is designed to train ALL your muscle fibers. By recruiting more muscle fibers, you will generate more force.

In addition, gentle rapid contractions allow the muscle to work as a pump, resulting in the body to carry off waste products much faster, thereby enhancing circulation and recovery.

3. I find it hard to keep training when I get an injury. How can the WAVE help with this?
Any athlete understands the frustration that comes with an injury. In certain cases, conventional training puts too much stress on the body, limiting an athlete from maintaining their performance. Since WAVE puts less stress on the joints, ligaments, and tendons, it is the ideal form of exercise to maintain peak physical shape. Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise program when coming back from an injury.

4. How much time do I need to spend on the WAVE to get results?
Its not surprising that most athletes believe they have to train longer and longer on the WAVE to get any results. This is actually not the case. Studies have consistently shown that vibration on a body part greater than 6 minutes actually decreases your performance! Therefore, its important to understand that short training sessions apply to athletes also, and not just sedentary people!

The WAVE has developed protocols for athletes. Please consult your WAVE trainer regarding this.

5. Is the progression of the WAVE exercises the same as with regular training?
Yes it is. The same principles that apply to regular training apply to the WAVE. For example, when you are doing the squat exercise, you can progress from static squats to dynamic ones. If that becomes easier, you can apply extra weight through weighted vests or free weights. Remember though, the time frame can be kept short and you don’t need to increase the time that much! Just increase the difficulty of the exercise. Your WAVE provider will have the solution to your specific needs.

6. Can I do the WAVE with my regular exercise program?
Yes, the WAVE was designed to be used as a complement to your regular training, in addition to being used alone. You can easily use it as a warm up tool, or as a cool down after your workouts. With weight training, athletes have been finishing off their regular sets with a set of vibration training to help train all their muscle fibers. Others have used vibration sets combined with regular training. Only your imagination is the limit!

7. Do I get any cardio training on the WAVE?
The WAVE was designed to be gentle on the cardiovascular system. This is the reason it can be used by people who can’t stress their cardiovascular system. However, you can get a cardio effect by increasing the intensity of the exercise, decreasing the rest time or adding extra weight. WAVE provides protocols that are catered to each individual’s specific needs.

8. You state that the WAVE helps recruit more muscle fibers than regular training. How is this any different than using electrical muscle stimulation?
WAVE vibration was designed to recruit more muscle fibers due to its ability to affect the stretch reflex. Since this is an involuntary stretch reflex, nearly 100% of the muscle fibers are recruited. Electrical stimulation will only contract and relax the muscle fibers that are innervated by the motor units that are being stimulated. Since electrical muscle stimulation is localized, you will not get the same percentage of muscle recruitment as with vibration training. For more information, please go to the ‘Technology’ section of the Professional User area, or the ‘How It Works’ section of the Personal User area.

9. Will I be sore on the WAVE after using it?
Yes and no. If you increase the intensity too quickly without getting used to it, you will get sore. When you start using the WAVE, it is basically a new exercise for you. With any new exercise, it takes time to accommodate yourself to the training. Take it slow, and progress slowly.

People get sore from weight training for a few reasons. With weight training, you put your body through stresses where there will be small micro tears in the muscles. In addition, there is a build up of lactic acid, which contributes to the soreness. WAVE vibration training minimizes the micro tears to your muscles while increasing blood flow, thereby enhancing recovery.

10. My trainer doesn’t know anything about vibration exercise. What should I do?
Vibration training is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for sports performance. Most trainers are seeing the benefits it provides for their athletes. Simply direct your trainer to our website. They can also call us to discuss how the WAVE can help you, in addition to other athletes that they have.
 
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