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

Abstract

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.

The Use of Vibration Training to Enhance Muscle Strength and Power

“…The intensity of these exercises ranged from cular performance was evaluated. As shown in fig-submaximal contractions [3,4,6,7,16,19] to maximal conure 1, if vibration stimulation is short in duration, tractions. [8,13,15,17,20,21] The duration of exercise with resulting in the measurement of neuromuscular ca-applied vibration also varied among studies, ranging pacity without fatigue, any enhancement is indica-from only 5 seconds [13,14,17] to 30 minutes [9] in each tive of an increase in neuromuscular performance by set, and with different numbers of sets employed, vibration stimulation (Ma [unfatigued] and Mar [un-ranging from one set [4,7,8,14,16,20] to several sets in a fatigued] in figure 1a).…”

“…[2] This has been termed vibration cular performance, with a focus on muscle strength training [3] or vibration exercise. [4] During the last 5 and power, and to investigate the influence of the years, this method of strength training has gained in vibration characteristics (method of application, frepopularity with a number of systems now commer-quency and amplitude) and exercise protocol on this cially available (e.g. Nemes  , Nemesis, The Nether-effect.…”

Impact of passive vibration on pressure pulse wave characteristics

“…Previous studies have shown increased reflexive muscular contractions in the limbs exposed to low-frequency vibration with exercise. 15,16 Recently, Herrero et al 32 demonstrated that PV increased leg muscle activity and blood flow in individuals with paraplegia. These studies suggest that vascular changes associated with the vibration may be partially owing to an increased metabolic demand in the exposed muscles.…”

“…[12][13][14] WBV is performed using static or dynamic exercises on a vibrating platform, which evokes reflexive muscle contractions and ultimately a training effect. 15,16 Acute squat exercise with WBV has been shown to decrease AIx mainly owing to changes in the amplitude but not the timing of the reflected wave. 17 Similarly, passive vibration (PV), defined as exposure of the limbs to continuous vibration without performing voluntary muscle contractions, has been shown to increase arm as well as leg skin blood flow in both healthy individuals and type 2 diabetes patients.…”

Whole Body Vibration Training Effects on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Review

“…In addition, in that same study, knee pain was reported by two obese subjects diagnosed with osteoarthritis, but it withdrew after a few days allowing subjects to continue with the treatment. Besides that, it is noteworthy that some authors [64] claimed that at frequencies above ~50 Hz severe muscle soreness and even hematoma may emerge in untrained subjects, but this hasn't been empirically tested due to the ethic issue.…”