The aim of the study was to assess the acute effect of whole-body vibration (WBV)
exercise, with low frequency (5 Hz), on the pain level (PL), trunk flexibility,
and cardiovascular responses (blood pressure [BP] and heart rate [HR]) in
individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Forty-four individuals were included
in the study (control: 15) or in (WBV exercise: 29) groups. They were submitted
to 3 bouts (1 minute each) of WBV exercise (5 Hz and peak-to-peak displacements
of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mm, corresponding to peak accelerations of 0.12, 0.25, and
0.35 g, respectively, sitting in a chair with the feet on the platform with
knees flexed, followed by 1 minute of interset rest. The Control Group performed
the same protocol, but the platform was turned off. The PL was measured through
the visual analog pain scale, and the flexibility was measured through the
anterior trunk flexion test. Significant improvements on PL (P
= .031) and flexibility (P = .004) were found only in the WBV
exercise group. The BP and HR remained at physiological levels. In conclusion,
the WBV exercise would lead to physiological response decreasing PL and
increasing flexibility as well as maintaining the cardiovascular responses in
individuals with MetS.