Benefits of Advanced Vibration Therapy:

• Increases body metabolism, increases lymphatic mobilization and accelerates cellulite reduction

• Increases strength, ballistic training and explosive fast-twitch muscle performance

• Improves neurocognition; neuromuscular stimulation and neuro-adaptation (neurological rehabilitation)

• Improves flexibility and increases range of motion, mobility and increases balance

• Increases blood circulation; increases glucose metabolism at a cellular level

• Increases bone density; reduces muscle wasting

• Saturates the body with 100% Oxygen accelerating recovery and repair; enhances performance and metabolic function

• Increases blood flow into damaged tissue by fostering growth of new blood vessel capillaries

• Accelerates new tissue formation (fibroblast and collagen synthesis) essential for repair

• Activates damaged and non-functional nerve cells

• Reduces chronic infections significantly reducing the ability of bacterial, viral and cancer cells to replicate and proliferate. Chronic infections do not survive in a high Oxygenated environment

• Whole Body Vibration results in 50-60 active muscle contractions per second however; without physical exertion of the individual

• WBV causes between 95-97% active muscle spindle responses compared with 40-45% activity with traditional physical activities. This is an extremely efficient total muscle mass stimulation and significant rehabilitative tool in individuals aged and or disabled

• Increases Oxygen utilization at a cellular level which is of great significance promoting the saturative effects and benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygenation

• Increases post-activation potentiation of the muscles and improves tendon reflex responses and stretch

• Improves the culminative effects of both regular and high intensity athletic training

• Improves muscle twitch fiber responses – improved ballistic responses including jump response, knee and leg extension response and strength and; neuro-muscle coordination

• Time efficient – 10 minutes on the vibration plate is equivalent to 1hour 20-minutes at the gym

• Promotes cardiovascular effects without the harmful effects of running and or impact related sports

• Increases basal metabolic rate without cardiac stress

• Improves circulatory function and in particular peripheral circulation – extremely important in diabetic patients with poor circulatory function which ultimately leads to vascular disease, delayed wound healing and gangrene related issues

• Reduces arterial plague - arteriosclerosis

• Improves balance and coordination in neurological patients – improved transfers, walking, less falls

• Improves neurocognition and neuroadaptation – extremely important with patients suffering neurodegenerative disease and traumatic injury.

• Increases natural release of endorphins; reduces harmful stress-related hormones - cortisol

• Increases natural testosterone production which is a powerful anti-aging natural hormone in both men and women

• Increases glucose metabolism at a cellular level increasing both energy availability, physical output and recovery

• Reduces cellulitis and body fat – improves lymphatic drainage

• Improves tendon-joint flexibility

• Reduces bone mineral loss and improves bone quality in aged and disabled patients

• Dampens chronic pain including arthritic pain, frozen shoulder syndrome, compartment syndrome, chronic back pain, pain due to failed back surgery etc

• Improves deep intrinsic spinal muscle responses promoting spinal stability – excellent for individuals suffering complex pain due to failed surgery and chronic spinal instability

• Improves deep pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation providing effective treatment in the management of stress incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction

• HBOT is non-invasive. It is not a surgical procedure

• HBOT is safe

• HBOT works extremely well with other forms of physical therapies and or requisite medications. It enhances the effectiveness of both traditional and complimentary therapies

• Elevates the amount of dissolved Oxygen into compromised and damaged tissue structures. Accelerates recovery and promotes stabilization of individuals suffering complex and progressive neurodegenerative illness and disease

• Enhances immune capabilities - increasing white blood cell (WBC) and Natural Killer Cell (NK) function; accelerating wound healing and infection control. This has a ‘killing’ effect which dramatically raises the potential to fight chronic infection and overcome delayed healing

• Accelerates new tissue formation (fibroblast and collagen synthesis) essential for repair – ligaments, disc, muscle and bone structures

• Increases blood flow into retarded tissue by fostering new blood vessel capillary growth into the damaged and compromised areas. This is called neovascularization

• Activates damaged and non-functional neurons (nerve cells). This is extremely important in chronic injury including spinal cord, brain injury and neurologically impaired patients. Chronic swelling and inflammation deprives vital Oxygen, which results in nerve cells becoming abnormally low in metabolic function. In fact, in many spinal cord and brain injured patients’, nerve cells are not completely severed but remain intact. However, the nerve cells are ‘non-functional’ because of the massive swelling that ultimately results in progressive scar formation because of Oxygen deprivation. Studies have demonstrated by raising the amount of Oxygen efficiency into the damaged area scar formation is reduced, blood flow is improved and dormant, non-functional and damaged nerve cells can be reactivated. Obviously, the best outcome is to start with aggressive HBOT in the early stages of injury

• Reinstates normal lymphatic drainage creating a ‘clearance’ effect reducing chronic swelling which causes painful inflammation

• Many prescribed drugs, antibiotics and immune stimulating vitamins and amino acids require Oxygen and are in fact greatly enhanced with benefits of Hyperbaric tissue Oxygenation

• HBOT changes cellular metabolism by altering Oxygen deprivation towards Oxygen efficiency at a cellular level; changing the cellular substrate from an anaerobic metabolism (energy poor) into an aerobic metabolism (energy rich). This has a net clearance effect enabling the body at a cellular level to detoxify and reverse the radical accumulation of toxins that ultimately mutate into abnormal cells (including cancer cells)

• Significantly reduces the ability of chronic infections including bacterial, viral and cancer cells to replicate and proliferate. Chronic infections do not survive in a high Oxygenated environment

(Additional clinical information available at www.pubmed.com) 

• Effects of whole body vibration on dorsal root ganglion neurons - changes in neuronal nuclei

  Spine. 1994 Jul 1;19(13):1455-61.Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento.
  STUDY DESIGN. This blinded, histomorphometric analysis compared neuronal nuclei from lumbar dorsal root ganglia from three groups of rabbits: normal controls, immobilized controls, and an experimental group exposed to daily, whole body vibration. OBJECTIVES. To identify ultrastructural changes in dorsal root ganglion neurons consistent with, and capable of producing, neuropeptide changes previously documented in vibration-exposed animals. METHODS. Normal adult rabbits were exposed to modulated whole body vibration at a frequency and amplitude previously shown to produce changes in dorsal root ganglion neuropeptides. Lumbar ganglia from control and vibrated rabbits were fixed, stained, and studied under transmission electron microscopy. One-thousand-two-hundred cells were sampled, and 190 appropriately sectioned cells were analyzed. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a strong correlation between vibration and back pain. Previous studies have shown that short-term exposure to whole body vibration alters the normal neuropeptide profile seen in dorsal root ganglion neurons. RESULTS. Nuclear clefting was increased 39% in vibrated nuclei relative to controls, and nuclear pores were increased 46% in areas of clefting compared with adjacent nonclefted segments and controls (P < .001). Mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and free ribosomes crowded the cleft spaces of vibrated cells, and the normal perinuclear clear space was lost. Mitochondrial and lysosomal volumes were significantly increased in vibrated cells. CONCLUSIONS. These ultrastructural changes, generated by a physiologically valid vibration stimulus, provide an anatomic link between the clinical observation of increased back pain and the biochemical alterations involving pain-related neuropeptides.  

• Controlled whole body vibration to decrease fall risk and improve health-related quality of life of nursing home residents

  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Feb;86(2):303-7. WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Osteoarticular Disorders, Liege, Belgium.
  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of whole body vibration in the elderly. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Nursing home. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two elderly volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Six-week vibration intervention plus physical therapy (PT) (n=22) or PT alone (n=20). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed gait and body balance using the Tinetti test (maximum scores of 12 for gait, 16 for body balance, 28 for global score), motor capacity using the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the vibration intervention group improved by a mean +/- standard deviation of 2.4+/-2.3 points on the gait score compared with no score change in the control group ( P <.001). The intervention group improved by 3.5+/-2.1 points on the body balance score compared with a decrease of 0.3+/-1.2 points in the control group ( P <.001). TUG test time decreased by 11.0+/-8.6 seconds in the treated group compared with an increase of 2.6+/-8.8 seconds in the control group ( P <.001). The intervention group had significantly greater improvements from baseline on 8 of 9 items on the SF-36 compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled whole body vibration can improve elements of fall risk and HRQOL in elderly patients.

• Comparing the performance-enhancing effects of squats on a vibration platform with conventional squats in recreationally resistance-trained men

  J Strength Cond Res. 2004 Nov;18(4):839-45. Department of Sport and Outdoor Life Studies, Telemark University College, BO, Norway.
  The purpose of this investigation was to compare the performance-enhancing effects of squats on a vibration platform with conventional squats in recreationally resistance-trained men. The subjects were 14 recreationally resistance-trained men (age, 21-40 years) and the intervention period consisted of 5 weeks. After the initial testing, subjects were randomly assigned to either the "squat whole body vibration" (SWBV) group (n = 7), which performed squats on a vibration platform on a Smith Machine, or the "squat"(S) group (n = 7), which performed conventional squats with no vibrations on a Smith Machine. Testing was performed at the beginning and the end of the study and consisted of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in squat and maximum jump height in countermovement jump (CMJ). A modified daily undulating periodization program was used during the intervention period in both groups. Both groups trained at the same percentage of 1RM in squats (6-10RM). After the intervention, CMJ performance increased significantly only in the SWBV (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between groups in relative jump height increase (p = 0.088). Both groups showed significant increases in 1RM performance in squats (p < 0.01). Although there was a trend toward a greater relative strength increase in the SWBV group, it did not reach a significant level. In conclusion, the preliminary results of this study point toward a tendency of superiority of squats performed on a vibration platform compared with squats without vibrations regarding maximal strength and explosive power as long as the external load is similar in recreationally resistance-trained men. 

• Short-term effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in unilateral chronic stroke patients: preliminary evidence

  Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Nov;83(11):867-73.
  The short-term effects of whole-body vibration as a novel method of somatosensory stimulation on postural control were investigated in 23 chronic stroke patients. While standing on a commercial platform, patients received 30-Hz oscillations at 3 mm of amplitude in the frontal plane. Balance was assessed four times at 45-min intervals with a dual-plate force platform, while quietly standing with the eyes opened and closed and while performing a voluntary weight-shifting task with visual feedback of center-of-pressure movements. Between the second and third assessments, four repetitions of 45-sec whole-body vibrations were given. The results indicated a stable baseline performance from the first to the second assessment for all tasks. After the whole-body vibration, the third assessment demonstrated a reduction in the root mean square (RMS) center-of-pressure velocity in the anteroposterior direction when standing with the eyes closed (P < 0.01), which persisted during the fourth assessment. Furthermore, patients showed an increase in their weight-shifting speed at the third balance assessment (P < 0.05) while their precision remained constant. No adverse effects of whole-body vibration were observed. It is concluded that whole-body vibration may be a promising candidate to improve proprioceptive control of posture in stroke patients. 

• Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on the endocrine system of healthy men

  J Endocrinol Invest. 2004 Apr;27(4):323-7. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences (IMISEM), University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
  Whole-body vibration is reported to increase muscle performance, bone mineral density and stimulate the secretion of lipolytic and protein anabolic hormones, such as GH and testosterone, that might be used for the treatment of obesity. To date, as no controlled trial has examined the effects of vibration exercise on the human endocrine system, we performed a randomized controlled study, to establish whether the circulating concentrations of glucose and hormones (insulin, glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GH, IGF-1, free and total testosterone) are affected by vibration in 10 healthy men [age 39 +/- 3, body mass index (BMI) of 23.5 +/- 0.5 kg/m2, mean +/- SEM]. Volunteers were studied on two occasions before and after standing for 25 min on a ground plate in the absence (control) or in the presence (vibration) of 30 Hz whole body vibration. Vibration slightly reduced plasma glucose (30 min: vibration 4.59 +/- 0.21, control 4.74 +/- 0.22 mM, p=0.049) and increased plasma norepinephrine concentrations (60 min: vibration 1.29 +/- 0.18, control 1.01 +/- 0.07 nM, p=0.038), but did not change the circulating concentrations of other hormones. These results demonstrate that vibration exercise transiently reduces plasma glucose, possibly by increasing glucose utilization by contracting muscles. Since hormonal responses, with the exception of norepinephrine, are not affected by acute vibration exposure, this type of exercise is not expected to reduce fat mass in obese subjects. 

• 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. Laboratory of Motor Control, Department of Kinesiology, Faculteit Lichamelijke Opvoeding en Kinesitherapie, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium.
  High-frequency mechanical strain seems to stimulate bone strength in animals. In this randomized controlled trial, hip BMD was measured in postmenopausal women after a 24-week whole body vibration (WBV) training program. Vibration training significantly increased BMD of the hip. These findings suggest that WBV training might be useful in the prevention of osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: High-frequency mechanical strain has been shown to stimulate bone strength in different animal models. However, the effects of vibration exercise on the human skeleton have rarely been studied. Particularly in postmenopausal women-who are most at risk of developing osteoporosis-randomized controlled data on the safety and efficacy of vibration loading are lacking. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the musculoskeletal effects of high-frequency loading by means of whole body vibration (WBV) in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy volunteers (age, 58-74 years) were randomly assigned to a whole body vibration training group (WBV, n = 25), a resistance training group (RES, n = 22), or a control group (CON, n = 23). The WBV group and the RES group trained three times weekly for 24 weeks. The WBV group performed static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises on a vibration platform (35-40 Hz, 2.28-5.09g), which mechanically loaded the bone and evoked reflexive muscle contractions. The RES group trained knee extensors by dynamic leg press and leg extension exercises, increasing from low (20 RM) to high (8 RM) resistance. The CON group did not participate in any training. Hip bone density was measured using DXA at baseline and after the 6-month intervention. Isometric and dynamic strength were measured by means of a motor-driven dynamometer. Data were analyzed by means of repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: No vibration-related side effects were observed. Vibration training improved isometric and dynamic muscle strength (+15% and + 16%, respectively; p < 0.01) and also significantly increased BMD of the hip (+0.93%, p < 0.05). No changes in hip BMD were observed in women participating in resistance training or age-matched controls (-0.60% and -0.62%, respectively; not significant). Serum markers of bone turnover did not change in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that WBV training may be a feasible and effective way to modify well-recognized risk factors for falls and fractures in older women and support the need for further human studies. 

• Strength increase after whole-body vibration compared with resistance training

  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Jun;35(6):1033-41. Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Department of Kinesiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
  PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate and to compare the effect of a 12-wk period of whole-body vibration training and resistance training on human knee-extensor strength. METHODS: Sixty-seven untrained females (21.4 +/- 1.8 yr) participated in the study. The whole-body vibration group (WBV, N = 18) and the placebo group (PL, N = 19) performed static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises on a vibration platform. The acceleration of the vibration platform was between 2.28 g and 5.09 g, whereas only 0.4 g for the PL condition. Vibration (35-40 Hz) resulted in increased EMG activity, but the EMG signal remained unchanged in the PL condition. The resistance-training group (RES, N = 18) trained knee extensors by dynamic leg-press and leg-extension exercises (10-20 RM). All training groups exercised 3x wk-1. The control group (CO, N = 12) did not participate in any training. Pre- and postisometric, dynamic, and ballistic knee-extensor strength were measured by means of a motor-driven dynamometer. Explosive strength was determined by means of a counter-movement jump. RESULTS: Isometric and dynamic knee-extensor strength increased significantly (P < 0.001) in both the WBV group (16.6 +/- 10.8%; 9.0 +/- 3.2%) and the RES group (14.4 +/- 5.3%; 7.0 +/- 6.2%), respectively, whereas the PL and CO group showed no significant (P > 0.05) increase. Counter-movement jump height enhanced significantly (P < 0.001) in the WBV group (7.6 +/- 4.3%) only. There was no effect of any of the interventions on maximal speed of movement, as measured by means of ballistic tests. CONCLUSIONS: WBV, and the reflexive muscle contraction it provokes, has the potential to induce strength gain in knee extensors of previously untrained females to the same extent as resistance training at moderate intensity. It was clearly shown that strength increases after WBV training are not attributable to a placebo effect. 

• Acute changes in neuromuscular excitability after exhaustive whole body vibration exercise as compared to exhaustion by squatting exercise

  Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2003 Mar;23(2):81-6. Institut fur Physiologie, Freie Universitat Berlin, Arnimallee, Berlin, Germany.
  The effects of hard squatting exercise with (VbX+) and without (VbX-) vibration on neuromuscular function were tested in 19 healthy young volunteers. Before and after the exercise, three different tests were performed: maximum serial jumping for 30 s, electromyography during isometric knee extension at 70% of the maximum voluntary torque, and the quantitative analysis of the patellar tendon reflex. Between VbX+ and VbX- values, there was no difference found under baseline conditions. Time to exhaustion was significantly shorter in VbX+ than in VbX- (349 +/- 338 s versus 515 +/- 338 s), but blood lactate (5.49 +/- 2.73 mmol l-1 versus 5.00 +/- 2.26 mmol l-1) and subjectively perceived exertion (rate of perceived exertion values 18.1 +/- 1.2 versus 18.6 +/- 1.6) at the termination of exercise indicate comparable levels of fatigue. After the exercise, comparable effects were observed on jump height, ground contact time, and isometric torque. The vastus lateralis mean frequency during isometric torque, however, was higher after VbX+ than after VbX-. Likewise, the tendon reflex amplitude was significantly greater after VbX+ than after VbX- (4.34 +/- 3.63 Nm versus 1.68 +/- 1.32 Nm). It is followed that in exercise unto comparable degrees of exhaustion and muscular fatigue, superimposed 26 Hz vibration appears to elicit an alteration in neuromuscular recruitment patterns, which apparently enhance neuromuscular excitability. Possibly, this effect may be exploited for the design of future training regimes. 

• Treatment of chronic lower back pain with lumbar extension and whole-body vibration exercise: a randomized controlled trial

  Spine. 2002 Sep 1;27(17):1829-34. Institut fur Physiologie, Freie Universitat Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
  STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow-up period was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To compare lumbar extension exercise and whole-body vibration exercise for chronic lower back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic lower back pain involves muscular as well as connective and neural systems. Different types of physiotherapy are applied for its treatment. Industrial vibration is regarded as a risk factor. Recently, vibration exercise has been developed as a new type of physiotherapy. It is thought to activate muscles via reflexes. METHODS: In this study, 60 patients with chronic lower back pain devoid of "specific" spine diseases, who had a mean age of 51.7 years and a pain history of 13.1 years, practiced either isodynamic lumbar extension or vibration exercise for 3 months. Outcome measures were lumbar extension torque, pain sensation (visual analog scale), and pain-related disability (pain disability index). RESULTS: A significant and comparable reduction in pain sensation and pain-related disability was observed in both groups. Lumbar extension torque increased significantly in the vibration exercise group (30.1 Nm/kg), but significantly more in the lumbar extension group (+59.2 Nm/kg; SEM 10.2; P < 0.05). No correlation was found between gain in lumbar torque and pain relief or pain-related disability (P > 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The current data indicate that poor lumbar muscle force probably is not the exclusive cause of chronic lower back pain. Different types of exercise therapy tend to yield comparable results. Interestingly, well-controlled vibration may be the cure rather than the cause of lower back pain. 

• Effect of four-month vertical whole body vibration on performance and balance

  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Sep;34(9):1523-8. Bone Research Group, UKK Institute, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1, FIN-33500 Tampere, Finland.

  PURPOSE: This randomized controlled study was designed to investigate the effects of a 4-month whole body vibration-intervention on muscle performance and body balance in young, healthy, nonathletic adults. METHODS: Fifty-six volunteers (21 men and 35 women, aged 19-38 yr) were randomized to either the vibration group or control group. The vibration-intervention consisted of a 4-month whole body vibration training (4 min.d(-1), 3-5 times a week) employed by standing on a vertically vibrating platform. Five performance tests (vertical jump, isometric extension strength of the lower extremities, grip strength, shuttle run, and postural sway on a stability platform) were performed initially and at 2 and 4 months. RESULTS: Four-month vibration intervention induced an 8.5% (95% CI, 3.7-13.5%, P=0.001) net improvement in the jump height. Lower-limb extension strength increased after the 2-month vibration-intervention resulting in a 3.7% (95% CI, 0.3-7.2%, P=0.034) net benefit for the vibration. This benefit, however, diminished by the end of the 4-month intervention. In the grip strength, shuttle run, or balance tests, the vibration-intervention showed no effect. CONCLUSION: The 4-month whole body vibration-intervention enhanced jumping power in young adults, suggesting neuromuscular adaptation to the vibration stimulus. On the other hand, the vibration-intervention showed no effect on dynamic or static balance of the subjects. Future studies should focus on comparing the performance-enhancing effects of a whole body vibration to those of conventional resistance training and, as a broader objective, on investigating the possible effects of vibration on structure and strength of bones, and perhaps, incidence of falls of elderly people. 

• 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. Institut fur Physiologie, Freie Universitat Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
  Vibration exercise (VbX) is a new type of physical training to increase muscle power. The present study was designed to assess the influence of whole-body VbX on metabolic power. Specific oxygen uptake (sVO(2)) was assessed, testing the hypotheses that sVO(2) increases with the frequency of vibration (tested in 10 males) and with the amplitude (tested in 8 males), and that the VbX-related increase in sVO(2) is enhanced by increased muscle force (tested in 8 males). With a vibration amplitude of 5 mm, a linear increase in sVO(2) was found from frequencies 18 to 34 Hz (p < 0.01). Each vibration cycle evoked an oxygen consumption of approximately 2.5 micro l x kg(-1). At a vibration frequency of 26 Hz, sVO(2) increased more than proportionally with amplitudes from 2.5 to 7.5 mm. With an additional load of 40 % of the lean body mass attached to the waist, sVO(2) likewise increased significantly. A further increase was observed when the load was applied to the shoulders. The present findings indicate that metabolic power in whole-body VbX can be parametrically controlled by frequency and amplitude, and by application of additional loads. These results further substantiate the view that VbX enhances specific oxygen uptake and subsequently muscular metabolic power, and muscle activity. 

• Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume

  Clin Physiol. 2001 May;21(3):377-82. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  Occupationally used high-frequency vibration is supposed to have negative effects on blood flow and muscle strength. Conversely, low-frequency vibration used as a training tool appears to increase muscle strength, but nothing is known about its effects on peripheral circulation. The aim of this investigation was to quantify alterations in muscle blood volume after whole muscle vibration--after exercising on the training device Galileo 2000 (Novotec GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). Twenty healthy adults performed a 9-min standing test. They stood with both feet on a platform, producing oscillating mechanical vibrations of 26 Hz. Alterations in muscle blood volume of the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles were assessed with power Doppler sonography and arterial blood flow of the popliteal artery with a Doppler ultrasound machine. Measurements were performed before and immediately after exercising. Power Doppler indices indicative of muscular blood circulation in the calf and thigh significantly increased after exercise. The mean blood flow velocity in the popliteal artery increased from 6.5 to 13.0 cm x s(-1) and its resistive index was significantly reduced. The results indicate that low-frequency vibration does not have the negative effects on peripheral circulation known from occupational high-frequency vibration. 

• Hormonal responses to whole-body vibration in men

  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000 Apr;81(6):449-54. Societa Stampa Sportiva, Rome, Italy.
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute responses of blood hormone concentrations and neuromuscular performance following whole-body vibration (WBV) treatment. Fourteen male subjects [mean (SD) age 25 (4.6) years] were exposed to vertical sinusoidal WBV, 10 times for 60 s, with 60 s rest between the vibration sets (a rest period lasting 6 min was allowed after 5 vibration sets). Neuromuscular performance tests consisting of counter-movement jumps and maximal dynamic leg presses on a slide machine, performed with an extra load of 160% of the subjects body mass, and with both legs were administered before and immediately after the WBV treatment. The average velocity, acceleration, average force, and power were calculated and the root mean square electromyogram (EMGrms) were recorded from the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles simultaneously during the leg-press measurement. Blood samples were also collected, and plasma concentrations of testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol (C) were measured. The results showed a significant increase in the plasma concentration of T and GH, whereas C levels decreased. An increase in the mechanical power output of the leg extensor muscles was observed together with a reduction in EMGrms activity. Neuromuscular efficiency improved, as indicated by the decrease in the ratio between EMGrms and power. Jumping performance, which was measured using the counter-movement jump test, was also enhanced. Thus, it can be argued that the biological mechanism produced by vibration is similar to the effect produced by explosive power training (jumping and bouncing). The enhancement of explosive power could have been induced by an increase in the synchronisation activity of the motor units, and/or improved co-ordination of the synergistic muscles and increased inhibition of the antagonists. These results suggest that WBV treatment leads to acute responses of hormonal profile and neuromuscular performance. It is therefore likely that the effect of WBV treatment elicited a biological adaptation that is connected to a neural potentiation effect, similar to those reported to occur following resistance and explosive power training. In conclusion, it is suggested that WBV influences proprioceptive feedback mechanisms and specific neural components, leading to an improvement of neuromuscular performance. Moreover, since the hormonal responses, characterised by an increase in T and GH concentration and a decrease in C concentration, and the increase in neuromuscular effectiveness were simultaneous but independent, it is speculated that the two phenomena might have common underlying mechanisms. 

• Frequency dependence of the suppressive effects of vibration on atherosclerosis in the rabbit

  Kurume Med J. 1989;36(4):161-6.
  Whole-body vibration suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the rabbit (Oki and Matoba, 1987). The present study was designed to clarify whether the effect of vibration on atherosclerosis depends on the frequency of vibration. Longitudinal vibrations at a frequency of 30 or 60 Hz was applied to 12 New Zealand white rabbits for 12 weeks. The gradual decrease in body weight and blood hematocrit in the vibration groups with time were parallel to the changes in the controls. The rate of increase in serum lipid concentrations induced by a cholesterol-rich diet was significantly suppressed in the vibration groups, as compared to the controls. This may be due to the vibration and not the diet. The aortic wall was thinner at 60 Hz than at 30 Hz, whereas the ratios of trace metals (Ca/Mg and Zn/Cu) in the aortic tissues were smaller at 30 Hz. The area of plaque formation in the intima was smaller at 60 Hz than at 30 Hz (p less than 0.05). Thus, the suppressive effect of vibration on the development of atherosclerosis in the aorta may be greater at a frequency of 60 Hz than at 30 Hz. Vibration may play an important role in lipid metabolism.