Evaluation of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Neuromuscular Activation Through Electromyographic Pattern of Vastus Lateralis Muscle and on Range of Motion of Knees in Metabolic Syndrome: A Quasi-Randomized Cross-Over Controlled Trial

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to overweight and obesity, and contributes to clinical limitations. Exercise is used for the management of MetS individuals, who are often not motivated to perform this practice. Whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) produces several biological effects, besides being safe, effective, and feasible for MetS individuals. This pseudo-randomized and cross-over controlled trial study aimed to analyze the effects of WBVE on MetS individuals’ neuromuscular activation using the surface electromyography (sEMG) pattern (root mean square (RMS)) of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle and on the range of motion (ROM) of the knees. Participants (n = 39) were allocated to two groups: the treatment group (TG), which was exposed to WBVE, and the control group (CG). WBVE interventions were performed twice a week, for a period of 5 weeks. ROM and sEMG were analyzed at baseline, after the first session, and before and after the last session. sEMG (%RMS) significantly increased in the acute effect of the last session of WBVE (108.00 ± 5.07, p < 0.008, right leg; 106.20 ± 3.53, p < 0.02, left leg) compared to the CG. ROM did not significantly change in TG or CG. In conclusion, 5 weeks of WBVE exerted neuromuscular effects capable of increasing VL muscle RMS in individuals with MetS, this effect being potentially useful in the physical rehabilitation of these individuals.

Evidence of Use of Whole-Body Vibration in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Only one study had blinding of all assessors [ 26 ]. In this way, three studies [ 21 , 24 , 26 ] were considered of “high” quality, three [ 1 , 9 , 23 ] of “fair” quality, and two [ 20 , 22 ] of “poor” quality.…”

“…The risk of bias of included studies was assessed used the Cochrane risk of bias tool ( Figure 3 ). Of the studies included in this systematic review, overall, only three studies [ 21 , 24 , 26 ] were considered to be at “low” risk of bias and five studies [ 1 , 9 , 20 , 22 , 23 ] were considered to be at “high” risk of bias.…”

“…Table 1 shows the characteristics of the articles and participants, the aims of the studies, and the outcomes of the selected articles with the level of evidence of the selected papers. The level of evidence (NHMRC, 2003–2007) [ 31 ] of the four studies included in the current review [ 20 , 21 , 24 , 26 ] was considered LE II and four studies [ 1 , 9 , 22 , 23 ] were considered LE III-1.…”

“…In the current worldly conditions, unhealthy lifestyles, including physical inactivity and bad dietary habits, contribute to the development and spread of diseases associated with metabolic commitment, such as metabolic syndrome (MSy) [ 1 ]. According to the International Diabetes Federation, MSy is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increases the cardiovascular risk, characterized by the presence of abdominal obesity associated with two other factors, such as arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance or the presence of Diabetes mellitus type 2 [ 2 ].…”

“…Studies suggest WBVE can be a useful and suitable intervention for management of MSy individuals. WBVE, as an SVT, enhances the strength, improves quality of life, sleep, and flexibility, promotes changes in body composition, reduces pain level, and improves functional and physiological parameters [ 1 , 9 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Moreover, there is not a systematic review about the effects of WBVE in MSy individuals.…”