Whole body vibration

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Vibrator advertisement, c. 1910. "The secret of the ages has been discovered in Vibration. Great scientists tell us that we owe not only our health but even our life strength to this wonderful force. Vibration promotes life and vigour, strength and beauty. ... Vibrate Your Body and Make It Well. YOU Have No Right to Be Sick."
Vibrator advertisement, c. 1910. "The secret of the ages has been discovered in Vibration. Great scientists tell us that we owe not only our health but even our life strength to this wonderful force. Vibration promotes life and vigour, strength and beauty. ... Vibrate Your Body and Make It Well. YOU Have No Right to Be Sick."

Whole Body Vibration: function and effects Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) is a term used to describe human exposure to vibration through feet, bottock and/or back. This is opposed to Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV), where the vibration is transferred through the hand and arm. The public is in general rather aware about risks associated with HAV (Raynaud's disease, "white fingers" et c). The common awareness of risks associated with WBV is much less developed. WBV may affect perception, comfort, safety and health, as described in the International Standard ISO 2631-1 (1997). In Europe, professional exposures to WBV and/or HAV are regulated in the Health and Safety Directive 2002/44/EC, which includes Action Values and Exposure Limits for 8 h daily exposures. The Directive include a requirement of expert risk assessment of transient vibration (mechanical shock) exposure, such as of city bus drivers frequently riding over traffic calming speed bumps. Such risk assessment can be performed as per the standard ISO 2631-5 (2004).

A special form of WBV is vibration training, which becoming increasingly popular. Experts disagree upon if this self-applied form of WBV exposure brings any positive effect at all, or if it is only risky. However, Vibration training machines are NOT included nor to ISO 2631-1 or Safety Directive 2002/44/EC.Nevertheless, it is a growing business.

Initially, vibration training was mainly used in the fitness industry, but the use of vibration equipment is expanding quickly. It is now widely used in physical therapy, rehabilitation and professional sports, but it is also applied more and more often in the beauty and wellness branches.

Contents

[edit] Background

[edit] What is Whole Body Vibration?

The first applications of vibrations for the improvement of human performance were developed in ancient Greece; a saw covered in cotton was used as a tool to transmit mechanical vibrations to the part of the body that was not functioning properly. The immediate predecessor of the modern vibration training is rhythmic neuromuscular stimulation (RNS). In former East Germany, Dr. Biermann was experimenting with the use of cyclic oscillations and their effects on the human body back in the sixties (Biermann, 1960 [1]). In that same era, the Russian scientist Nazarov translated these findings to practical uses for athletes. He observed a substantial increase in flexibility and strength in the athletes he studied after the application of vibrations (Kunnemeyer & Smidtbleicher, 1997 [2]).

The Russians also performed experiments with "Biomechanical Stimulation" for the benefit of their athletes as well as their space program. Unlike WBV devices on which the user stands Biomechanical Stimulation uses vibration stimulation directly on muscles or tendons. RSI, the Russian Space Institute as well as ESA[3][4][5], the European Space Agency and NASA are experimenting with various types of Vibration Training Systems in order to get the ultimate benefits from the vibration stimulus. Due to the lack of gravity in space, astronauts and cosmonauts exhibited muscle atrophy (muscle impairment) and bone loss, which forces them to return to earth rather quickly. For rehabilitation after elongated space flights Russian scientists experimented with Biomechanical Stimulation. Once the Iron Curtain had been dismantled, the West could finally profit from the information and experience that had been gathered in the previous years.

In 1996 the first Whole Body Vibration device was patented on which the user could stand. These devices allow to train almost the compete muscle chain used for walking and are currently widely used in sports, fitness and beauty but also for rehabilitation and medical applications. Since 1996 more than 100 peer reviewed papers have been published on effects of WBV. Research is still continued all over the world in this still rather young but very active field of research.

[edit] How does Whole Body Vibration work?

As apparent from its name, in WBV, the entire body is exposed to vibration, as opposed to local vibration (Biomechanical Stimulation, BMS), where an isolated muscle or muscle group is stimulated by the use of a vibration device. Whole body vibration is implemented through the use of a vibrating platform on which exercises can be performed. The vibrations the engines underneath the platform generate are transmitted to the person standing, sitting or lying on the machine. The intensity and the direction of these vibrations are essential for their effect. Different vibration platforms have different vibration characteristics. Not all platforms perform in the same manner, and that is why the results of using them are different.

In order to elicit a stretch reflex in the muscles, the major contributing factor to the training results that can be achieved with vibration platforms, the up-down movement is the most important. Remember that human bodies are made to absorb better vertical vibrations due the gravity effect. However, many machines vibrate in three different directions: sideways (x), front and back (y) and up and down (z), which could cause significant side effects after prolonged time of use. The z-axis has the largest amplitude and is the most defining component in generating and inducing muscle contractions. Concerning the z-movements two principle types of systems can be distinguished: side alternating systems, operating like a see-saw and hence mimicking the human gait where always one foot is moving upwards and the other one downwards and systems where the whole platform is mainly doing the same motion respectively both feet are moved upwards or downwards at the same time (Abercromby et al 2007 [6]; Burkhard 2006[7]). Systems with side alternation offer a larger amplitude of oscillation and a frequency range of about 5 Hz to 35 Hz the other systems offer lower amplitudes but higher frequencies in the range of 20 Hz to 50 Hz. Despite the larger Amplituides of side-alternating systems the vibration (acceleration) transmitted to the head is signifficantly lower then in non side-alternating systems (Abercromby et al 2007[6]).

The mechanical stimulation generates acceleration forces working on the body. These forces cause the muscles to lengthen, and this signal is received by the muscle spindle, a small organ in the muscle. This spindle transmits the signal through the central nervous system to the muscles involved. Due to this subconscious contraction of the muscles, many more muscle fibers are used than in a conscious, voluntary movement (Issurin & Tenenbaum 1999 [8]). This is also obvious from the heightened EMG activity Bosco et al. 1999 [9], Delecluse et al 2003 [10]).

[edit] Training Effects of Vibration

[edit] Immediate and short term effects of WBV

Because more muscle fibers (also known as motor units) are activated under the influence of vibration than in normal, conscious muscle contractions the muscles are incited more efficiently (Paradisis & Zacharogiannis 2007 [11]; Lamont et al. 2006 [12]; Cormie et al 2006 [13]; ; Bosco et al. 1999 [9], 2000 [14]; Rittweger 2001 [15], 2002 [16]; Abercromby et al. 2005 [17]; Amonette et al. 2005 [18]). The immediate effect of WBV is therefore that the muscles can be used quickly and efficiently, rendering them capable of producing more force. However, this process will only be effective if the stimulus is not too intense and does not last too long, because otherwise performance will diminish due to fatigue.

Another immediate effect of WBV is an improvement of circulation. The rapid contraction and relaxation of the muscles at 20 to 50 times per second basically works as a pump on the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, increasing the speed of the blood flow through the body (Kerschan-Schindl et al 2001 [19]; Lohman et al. 2007 [20]). Subjects often experience this as a tingling, prickling, warm sensation in the skin. Both Stewart (2005 [21]) and Oliveri (1989 [22]) describe the appearance of vasodilatation (widening of the blood vessels) as a result of vibration

[edit] Long term effects of WBV

In order to have any effect on the body in the long term it is vital that the body systems experience fatigue or some sort of light stress. As in other kinds of training, when the body is overloaded repeatedly and regularly, the principle of supercompensation will occur. This principle is the cause of the body adapting to loading. In other words: performance will increase.

This effect has been proven several times in scientific research for both young and elderly subjects (Roelants et al. 2004 [23], Delecluse et al 2003 [10], Verschueren et al 2004 [24], Paradisis et al 2007 [25]). In the only placebo-controlled study to date (Delecluse et al 2003 [10]) a significant increase in strength was found in the WBV group, when there was no improvement measured in the placebo group. This is a clear indication that the vibrations actually do have added value when performing static exercises.

From research into the structural effects of vibration training it can be deducted that the increased strength resulting from WBV training can definitely be compared to the results that can be attained with conventional methods of training. But there are indications that better results may be achieved with WBV in the area of explosive power (Delecluse et al. 2003 [10]).

Another important difference between conventional training methods and WBV is that there is only a minimum of loading. No additional weights are necessary, which ensures that there is very little loading to the passive structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is why WBV is extremely suited to people that are difficult to train due to old age, disease, disorders, weight or injury. On the other hand, it is also very suitable for professional athletes who want to stimulate and strengthen their muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the physical system (Cochrane et al 2005 [26]; Mahieu et al 2006 [27]).

Other than its influence on the muscles, WBV can also have a positive effect on bone mineral density. The vibrations cause compression and remodeling of the bone tissue Mechanostat[28][29][30][31], activating the osteoblasts (bone building cells), while reducing the activity of the osteoclasts (cells that break bone down). Repeated stimulation of this system, combined with the increased pull on the bones by the muscles, will increase bone mineral density over time. It is also likely that the improved circulation and the related bone perfusion due to a better supply of nutrients, which are also more able to penetrate the bone tissue, are contributing factors (Verschueren 2004 [24], Jordan 2005 [32], Olof Johnell & John Eisman, 2004 [33], Rubin et al. 2004 [34]).

Further more the Berlin Bedrest Study (BBR) proved that 10 minutes of vibration Training 6 times a week prevented muscle and bone loss in total bedrest over 55 days (Rittweger et al 2004 [3], Felsenberg et al 2004 [4], Bleeker et al 2005 [5], Blottner et al 2006 [35]).

In preventing falls and the bone fractures that they often result in, enhancing bone mineral density is not the only important issue. Increased muscle power, postural control and balance are also considerable factors. Studies involving elderly subjects have shown that all of these issues can be improved using whole body vibration (Roelants et al 2004 [23], Bautmans et al 2005 [36], Bogaerts et al 2007 [37], Kawanabe et al 2007 [38]).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Publications

  1. ^ Biermann, W.: Influence of cycloid vibration massage on trunk flexion, American Journal of Physical Medicine, 1960, 39, pp. 219 – 224
  2. ^ Kunnemeyer J, Schmidtbleicher D.: Die neuromuskulaire stimulation RNS, Leistungssport 2: 39-42, 1997.
  3. ^ a b Rittweger J., Felsenberg D.: Resistive vibration exercise prevents bone loss during 8 weeks of strict bed rest in healthy male subjects: results from the Berlin Bed Rest (BBR) study, 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; October 2004; Seattle
  4. ^ a b Felsenberg D.: Ergebnisse der Berliner BedRest-Studie, Knochen & Muskel - Neue Welten, 18. November 2004, ZMK, Charite Berlin>
  5. ^ a b Bleeker MW, De Groot PC, Rongen GA, Rittweger J, Felsenberg D, Smits P, Hopman MT: Vascular adaptation to deconditioning and the effect of an exercise countermeasure: results of the Berlin Bed Rest study, J Appl Physiol. 2005 Oct;99(4):1293-300. Epub 2005 Jun 2, PMID 15932956
  6. ^ a b Abercromby AF, Amonette WE, Layne CS, McFarlin BK, Hinman MR, Paloski WH.: Vibration Exposure and Biodynamic Responses during Whole-Body Vibration Training, Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Oct;39(10):1794-1800, PMID 17909407
  7. ^ Burkhardt A.: Vibrationstraining in der Physiotherapie - Wippen mit Wirkung, Physiopraxis 9/06, s.22.25, 2006
  8. ^ Issurin VB, Tenenbaum G.: Acute and residual effects of vibratory stimulation on explosive strength in elite and amateur athletes, J Sports Sci. 1999 Mar;17(3):177-82, PMID 10362384
  9. ^ a b Bosco C, Cardinale M, Tsarpela O.: Influence of vibration on mechanical power and electromyogram activity in human arm flexor muscles, Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1999 Mar;79(4):306-11, PMID 10090628
  10. ^ a b c d Delecluse C, Roelants M, Verschueren S.: Strength increase after whole-body vibration compared with resistance training, Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Jun;35(6):1033-41, PMID 12783053
  11. ^ Delecluse C, Roelants M, Diels R, Koninckx E, Verschueren S.: Effects of whole body vibration training on muscle strength and sprint performance in sprint-trained athletes, Int J Sports Med. 2005 Oct;26(8):662-8, PMID 16158372
  12. ^ Lamont, Cramer, Gayaud, Acree, Bemben: Effects of different vibration interventions on indices of counter movement vertical jump performance in college aged males, Poster presentation ACSM, 2006
  13. ^ Cormie P, Deane RS, Triplett NT, McBride JM.: Acute effects of whole-body vibration on muscle activity, strength, and power, J Strength Cond Res. 2006 May;20(2):257-61, PMID 16686550
  14. ^ Bosco C, Iacovelli M, Tsarpela O, Cardinale M, Bonifazi M, Tihanyi J, Viru M, De Lorenzo A, Viru A.: Hormonal responses to whole-body vibration in men, Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000 Apr;81(6):449-54, PMID 10774867
  15. ^ Rittweger J, Schiessl H, Felsenberg D: Oxygen uptake during whole-body vibration exercise: comparison with squatting as a slow voluntary movement, Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001 Dec;86(2):169-73, PMID 11822476
  16. ^ Rittweger J, Ehrig J, Just K, Mutschelknauss M, Kirsch KA, Felsenberg D: Oxygen uptake in whole-body vibration exercise: influence of vibration frequency, amplitude, and external load, Int J Sports Med. 2002 Aug;23(6):428-32, PMID 12215962
  17. ^ Abercromby, Amonette, Paloski, Hinman: Effect of knee flexion angle on neuromuscular responses to whole-body vibration, Abstract presented at NSCA National Conference, July 2005
  18. ^ Amonette, W., A. Abercromby, M. Hinman, W.H. Paloski: Neuromuscular responses to two whole-body vibration modalities during dynamic squats, Abstract presented at NSCA National Conference, July 2005
  19. ^ Kerschan-Schindl K, Grampp S, Henk C, Resch H, Preisinger E, Fialka-Moser V, Imhof H.: Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume, Clin Physiol. 2001 May;21(3):377-82, PMID 11380538
  20. ^ Lohman EB 3rd, Petrofsky JS, Maloney-Hinds C, Betts-Schwab H, Thorpe D.: The effect of whole body vibration on lower extremity skin blood flow in normal subjects, Med Sci Monit. 2007 Feb;13(2):CR71-6, PMID 17261985
  21. ^ Stewart JM, Karman C, Montgomery LD, McLeod KJ.: Plantar vibration improves leg fluid flow in perimenopausal women, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2005 Mar;288(3):R623-9. Epub 2004 Oct 7, PMID 15472009
  22. ^ Oliveri DJ, Lynn K, Hong CZ.: Increased skin temperature after vibratory stimulation, Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1989 Apr;68(2):81-5, PMID 2930643
  23. ^ a b Roelants M, Delecluse C, Verschueren SM.: Whole-body-vibration training increases knee-extension strength and speed of movement in older women, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jun;52(6):901-8, PMID 15161453
  24. ^ a b Verschueren SM, Roelants M, Delecluse C, Swinnen S, Vanderschueren D, 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, J Bone Miner Res. 2004 Mar;19(3):352-9. Epub 2003 Dec 22, PMID 15040822
  25. ^ Delecluse C, Roelants M, Diels R, Koninckx E, Verschueren S.: Effects of whole body vibration training on muscle strength and sprint performance in sprint-trained athletes, Int J Sports Med. 2005 Oct;26(8):662-8, PMID 16158372
  26. ^ Cochrane D.J., Stannard S.R.: Acute whole body vibration training increases vertical jump and flexibility performance in elite female field hockey players, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2005, Vol. 39, S. 860-865, PMID 16244199
  27. ^ Mahieu NN, Witvrouw E, Van de Voorde D, Michilsens D, Arbyn V, Van den Broecke W: Improving strength and postural control in young skiers: whole-body vibration versus equivalent resistance training, J Athl Train. 2006 Jul-Sep;41(3):286-93, PMID 17043697
  28. ^ Frost H.M.: The Utah Paradigm of Skeletal Physiology Vol. 1, ISMNI [1], 1960
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  30. ^ Frost H.M.: Defining Osteopenias and Osteoporoses: Another View (With Insights From a New Paradigm), Bone Vol. 20, No. 5, Mai 1997, S.385-391 PMID 9145234
  31. ^ Felsenberg D.: Struktur und Funktion des Knochens. Pharmazie in unserer Zeit 30(6), S. 488 - 493 (2001), ISSN 0048-3664
  32. ^ Jordan J.: Good vibrations and strong bones?, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2005 Mar;288(3):R555-6., PMID 15699358, Full Text (PDF)
  33. ^ Johnell O, Eisman J.: Whole lotta shakin' goin' on, J Bone Miner Res. 2004 Aug;19(8):1205-7. Epub 2004 Apr 5, PMID 15231005
  34. ^ Rubin C, Recker R, Cullen D, Ryaby J, McCabe J, McLeod K.: Prevention of postmenopausal bone loss by a low-magnitude, high-frequency mechanical stimuli: a clinical trial assessing compliance, efficacy, and safety, J Bone Miner Res. 2004 Mar;19(3):343-51. Epub 2003 Dec 22, PMID 15040821
  35. ^ Blottner D., Salanova M., Püttmann B., Schiffl G., Felsenberg D., Buehring B., Rittweger J.: Human skeletal muscle structure and function preserved by vibration muscle exercise following 55 days of bed rest, Eur J. Appl Physiol, 2006, Vol. 97, S. 261-271, PMID 16568340
  36. ^ Bautmans I, Van Hees E, Lemper JC, Mets T.: The feasibility of Whole Body Vibration in institutionalised elderly persons and its influence on muscle performance, balance and mobility: a randomised controlled trial, BMC Geriatr. 2005 Dec 22;5:17, PMID 16372905
  37. ^ Bogaerts A, Verschueren S, Delecluse C, Claessens AL, Boonen S.: Effects of whole body vibration training on postural control in older individuals: a 1 year randomized controlled trial, Gait Posture. 2007 Jul;26(2):309-16. Epub 2006 Oct 30, PMID 17074485
  38. ^ Kawanabe K, Kawashima A, Sashimoto I, Takeda T, Sato Y, Iwamoto J.: Effect of whole-body vibration exercise and muscle strengthening, balance, and walking exercises on walking ability in the elderly, Keio J Med. 2007 Mar;56(1):28-33, PMID 17392595
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