Strength Increase after Whole-Body Vibration Compared with Resistance Training

Abstract

WBV, and the reflexive muscle contraction it provokes, has the potential to induce strength gain in knee extensors of previously untrained females to the same extent as resistance training at moderate intensity. It was clearly shown that strength increases after WBV training are not attributable to a placebo effect.

Whole-body vibration training reduces arterial stiffness, blood pressure and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese women

“…Consistent with the present study, muscle strength improvements (7.2-9.0%) have been reported after 12 to 24 weeks of static and dynamic exercises with WBV in young women. 16,17 Our findings are in agreement with a 2.2% increase in body fat-free mass reported in young women after 24 weeks of unloaded static and dynamic exercises with WBV. 17 Because the increase in LST mass after 6 weeks of WBV training was no different than the CON period in our study, muscle strength gains would be primarily attributed to neural adaptations rather than muscle hypertrophy.…”

“…17 Because the increase in LST mass after 6 weeks of WBV training was no different than the CON period in our study, muscle strength gains would be primarily attributed to neural adaptations rather than muscle hypertrophy. 16,17,19 Indeed, increased muscle strength per se may offer protection from obesity. 11 In addition, Bogaerts et al 41 showed improvements in muscle strength and oxygen consumption after WBV training that included static and dynamic exercises that were comparable to a fitness group that combined RET and aerobic training, suggesting that WBV training is an efficient alternative for overall training effects.…”

“…15 Alternatively, whole-body vibration (WBV) training consisting of isometric and dynamic leg exercise has shown to effectively increase muscle strength to levels comparable to RET in young women. 16,17 Moreover, muscle strength and muscle mass gains have been reported to occur after only 6 18 and 10 19 weeks, respectively, of WBV training in older women. Thus, muscular adaptations may be apparent after a 6-week WBV training in young women.…”

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

“…In healthy individuals, some positive effects are reported, for example increased muscle strength in untrained females, 4 improved balance, muscle strength or gait performance in the elderly 5,6 whereas other studies have found no or insufficient effects of WBV training. 7,8 In individuals with stroke or other neurological diseases, few studies have evaluated the effects of WBV training and the results differ also in those studies.…”

“…The vibrations are believed to initiate muscle contractions by stimulating the muscle spindles and the alpha motor neurons and thereby to have an effect similar to that of conventional training, such as resistance training. 4 Despite being on the market for over a decade there are no clear recommendations on how WBV training should be performed with regard to length of training, intensity, frequency or amplitude-setting.…”