Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training with Different Body Positions and Amplitudes on Lower Limb Muscle Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Women

Abstract

Purpose The present study was designed to investigate the electromyographic (EMG) response in leg muscles to whole-body vibration while using different body positions and vibration amplitudes. Methods: An experimental study with repeated measures design involved a group of community-dwelling middle-aged and older women (n = 15; mean age=60.8 ± 4.18 years). Muscle activity of the gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gastrocnemius (GS) was measured by surface electromyography, which participants were performing three different body positions during three WBV amplitudes. The body positions included static semi-squat, static semi-squat with elastic band loading, and dynamic semi-squat. Vibration stimuli tested were 0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm amplitude and 30 Hz frequencies. And the maximum accelerations produced by vibration stimuli with amplitudes of 2 mm and 4 mm are approximately 1.83 g and 3.17 g. Results: Significantly greater muscle activity was recorded in VL, BF, and GS. When WBV was applied to training, compared with the same training without WBV ( P < .05). There were significant main effects of body positions on EMGrms for the GM, RF, and VM ( P < .05). Compared to static semi-squat, static semi-squat with elastic band significantly increased the EMGrms of GM, and dynamic semi-squat significantly increased the EMGrms of GM, RF and VM (P < .05). And there were significant main effects of amplitudes on EMGrms for the GM, RF, and VM ( P < .05). The EMGrms of the VL, BF, and GS at 4 mm were significantly higher than 0 mm, and the EMGrms of the VL and BF at 4 mm were significantly higher than 2 mm. There was no significant body interaction between body positions and amplitudes (P > .05). Conclusions: The EMG amplitudes of most leg muscles tested were significantly greater during WBV exposure than in the no-WBV condition. The dynamic semi-squat 4 mm whole-body vibration training is recommended for middle-aged and older women to improve lower limb muscle strength and function.

Does whole-body vibration training have a positive effect on balance and walking function in patients with stroke? A meta-analysis

“…It had been suggested that the frequency of WBV training set from 20 to 30 Hz may be more beneficial in stroke patients ( Cardinale and Lim, 2003 ; Rittweger et al, 2003 ; Liu et al, 2022 ). Thus, a subgroup analysis was conducted.…”

“…When the vibration frequency was set at 20–50 Hz or 20–45 Hz, higher EMG activity was induced ( Rittweger, 2010 ; Alam et al, 2018 ). Thus, muscle strength was enhanced and muscle training was more effective and several studies ( Cardinale and Lim, 2003 ; Rittweger et al, 2003 ; Liu et al, 2022 ) have found vibration frequencies between 20 and 30 Hz to be more effective in stroke patients. Therefore, we planned to divide into two subgroups by frequency of WBV training: a subgroup of vibration frequencies at 20–30 Hz, and another subgroup of the other vibration frequencies.…”

“…The “bone-muscle-nerve” series connection is established ( Jaime et al, 2019 ). By causing local or entire body muscles to vibrate, the vibration stimulation can increase the activation degree of the muscle spindle, cause high-frequency discharge and recruit more motor units, thus promoting muscle contraction, stimulating the proprioception system, enhancing muscle strength of lower limbs, and improving motor control ability ( Marín et al, 2015 ; Liu et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Some studies have found that WBV training plays a positive role in the recovery of balance and walking function in patients with stroke ( Gu and Hwangbo, 2016 ; Yan et al, 2021 ; Chuan et al, 2022 ), while other studies have shown that there is no significant difference between WBV training and routine rehabilitation training ( Ijaz Ahmed Burq et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2022 ). The objective of this meta-analysis is to ascertain the effect of WBV training on balance and walking function in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, compared with routine, sham, and no treatments.…”

The Influence of Surgical Mask on Heart Rate, Muscle Saturation of Oxygen, and Hemoglobin during Whole-Body Vibration Exercise

“…Vibration is a mechanical stimulus characterised by an oscillatory motion in which energy is transmitted from the actuator (the vibrating device) to the human body [ 1 ]. During sporting activities, our body interacts with the environment and experiences external forces that induce vibrations and oscillations in body tissues [ 2 ].…”