Sex-specific response to whole-body vibration training: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

A few studies have indicated that males and females respond differently to whole-body vibration (WBV) training. However, the existing insights are still insufficient and they cannot be transferred to sex-specific practice planning. To evaluate the effect of 5-week WBV training on neuromuscular [countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ)] and cardiovascular [heart rate and blood pressure] data, taking into account sex-specific effects. This is a comparative experimental study including 96 healthy adults, divided into two groups: a WBV group (25 females and 24 males) and a control group (27 females and 20 males). The participants attended nine to ten training sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks), each lasting approximately 30 min. Both groups performed the same exercise routine on the vibration training device. For the WBV group, the training device was vibrating during the whole training session, including the breaks. For the control group, it was turned off. Maximum jump height ( H , cm) and maximum relative power ( MRP , kW/kg) were noted during CMJ and SJ performed on a force plate. Resting (sitting) heart rate (bpm) and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured twice, before and after the intervention. For each parameter, Δdata (= before – after) was calculated. Interactive effects of sex (2) vs group (2) vs session (2) were noted only in males and they only concerned ΔSJ MPR and ΔCMJ H : compared to the control group, the WBV group had better ΔSJ MPR (1.39 ± 3.05 vs -2.69 ± 4.49 kW/kg, respectively) and ΔCMJ H (0.50 ± 6.14 vs -4.42 ± 5.80 cm, respectively). No sex-specific effect of WBV on neuromuscular (CMJ and SJ) or cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) data was found.

Four-week whole-body vibration training and its effects on strength, power and sprint performance in young basketball players - a randomized control trial

“…Other studies suggested that greatest effect is obtained by using combination of a high amplitude and the frequency (<4mm and 50Hz) (Adams et al, 2009). It still remains inconclusive how to optimise and apply WBV parameters concerning athletes age, experience, gender, type of exercise, body position and health status to maximise the muscle activation and strength gains (Hartard et al, 2022). The present study found that both CMJ (4.7%) and SJ (1.6%) were significantly higher in WBV than RTG following the intervention.…”

“…Numerous studies showed that WBV can cause a significant positive short- (Dallas, Kirialanis, & Mellos, 2014) and long-term (Hartard et al, 2022) effects on strength, power and sprinting abilities. Previously published meta-analyses showed greater long-term WBV training effects on muscle strength and power than without WBV (Osawa et al, 2013) with vertical platforms eliciting larger effects as compared to oscillating platforms (Marín & Rhea, 2010).…”