Effects of Whole Body Vibration Training on Muscle Strength and Sprint Performance in Sprint-Trained Athletes

Abstract

Despite the expanding use of Whole Body Vibration training among athletes, it is not known whether adding Whole Body Vibration training to the conventional training of sprint-trained athletes will improve speed-strength performance. Twenty experienced sprint-trained athletes (13 male symbol, 7 female symbol, 17-30 years old) were randomly assigned to a Whole Body Vibration group (n=10: 6 male symbol and 4 female symbol) or a Control group (n=10: 7 male symbol, 3 female symbol). During a 5-week experimental period all subjects continued their conventional training program, but the subjects of the Whole Body Vibration group additionally performed three times weekly a Whole Body Vibration training prior to their conventional training program. The Whole Body Vibration program consisted of unloaded static and dynamic leg exercises on a vibration platform (35-40 Hz, 1.7-2.5 mm, Power Plate). Pre and post isometric and dynamic (100 degrees/s) knee-extensor and -flexor strength and knee-extension velocity at fixed resistances were measured by means of a motor-driven dynamometer (Rev 9000, Technogym). Vertical jump performance was measured by means of a contact mat. Force-time characteristics of the start action were assessed using a load cell mounted on each starting block. Sprint running velocity was recorded by means of a laser system. Isometric and dynamic knee-extensor and knee-flexor strength were unaffected (p>0.05) in the Whole Body Vibration group and the Control group. As well, knee-extension velocity remained unchanged (p>0.05). The duration of the start action, the resulting start velocity, start acceleration, and sprint running velocity did not change (>0.05) in either group. In conclusion, this specific Whole Body Vibration protocol of 5 weeks had no surplus value upon the conventional training program to improve speed-strength performance in sprint-trained athletes.

Effects of Vibration Exercise on Muscle Performance and Mobility in an Older Population

“…There have been reports that WBV training does not have an effect on shuttle-run (Torvinen et al, 2002b), sprinting speed (Delecluse, Roelants, Diels, Koninckx, & Verschueren, 2005) or agility performance (Cochrane, Legg, & Hooker, 2004). In contrast, other studies have reported that WBV positively influenced TUG (Schuhfried, Mittermaier, Jovanovic, Pieber, & Paternostro-Sluga, 2005), Tinetti test (Bautmans et al, 2005;Bruyere et al, 2005), and balance (Torvinen et al, 2002a).…”

No Specific Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training in Chronic Stroke: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

“…Another explanation is that the training was not intense or long enough. However, the training protocol used in this study was similar to that of other WBV studies 14,24,25 and decided after literature search and discussions with a person with experience of WBV training in rehabilitation. Training twice weekly is also a common frequency at private gyms and in public health care facilities.…”

The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Jump Height and Active Range of Movement in Female Dancers

“…Overall it appears the literature demonstrates a positive effect of WBV on jumping performance with several short term cumulative effect studies (10 days-8 weeks) have noted improvements in jump height (4,6,7,13,15,26,33) whilst a few have noted no improvements (11,12,23). In relation to dance training the studies by Wyon and colleagues (33) and Aninno and colleagues (4) both noted increases in jump height as well as no significant changes in leg anthropometry and significant increases in knee extensor strength respectively.…”