Vibration Exercise 1

Vibration Exercise

By

Christopher Chavez

Robin Zappin

HCS 310

10 Dec 2013

Vibration Exercise 2

Abstract

Vibration exercise is a form of exercise that is used by rehabilitation centers, hospitals, fitness

trainers, athletes and more. It can be used by individuals of any age, regardless of fitness level

and people who are not accustomed to different exercise modalities. This technique can be used

by people who are limited in movement and function, as well as athletes looking for a whole-

body benefit. During the 1960s, Russian scientists began studies of WBV and developed ways to

fine-tune this technology. Their main focus in using this technology was to rehabilitate their

cosmonauts after returning from space to help repair muscles from atrophy and bone density loss

due to the weightlessness of space. The researchers, led by Vladimir Nazarov, found that not

only did it stop the loss of bone density, but it also increased it and strengthened muscle tissue.

Key Words: WBV, Electromyographic, Myofiber, Sarcopenia

Vibration Exercise 3

Vibration Exercise

The history of vibration exercise can be traced back as early as 1857 by a Swedish

doctor, Gustav Zander. He was also responsible for inventing over 70 different kinds of exercise

machines. The first vibration exercise machine, Zander Picture Vibration therapy, was first seen

in local fairs and eventually gained popularity at two world fairs. This allowed him to establish 2

Zander Institutes and set up 9 centers within the Netherlands. Additionally, in 1895, in Battle

Creek, Michigan, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (the creator of corn flakes), invented a whole-body

vibration machine. This was a unique chair design that shook violently from side to side and

claimed to cure constipation, headaches and back pain. He also created a standing platform to

stimulate the inner organs (Vibra Trim, 2013). Vibration exercise is a unique system intended for

the young and old. It is so easy that it is utilized by all to maintain one’s health, including the

immobile or the athletic.

Vibration exercise is a form of exercise that is used by rehabilitation centers, hospitals,

fitness trainers, athletes and more. It can be used by individuals of any age, regardless of fitness

level and people who are not accustomed to different exercise modalities. This technique can be

used by people who are limited in movement and function as well as athletes looking for a

whole-body benefit. “Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been promoted as a strength training

intervention because it can increase motor unit activity of the lower limbs through the reflex-

induced muscle contractions” (Sveen, 2013). The WBV technology centers on a recurrent change

of position on a vibrating platform with the specific physical factors of amplitude, frequency and

time. The muscles are stimulated to work by the stretch reflex.

Vibration Exercise 4

WBV can be considered to conventional resistance training. The application of vibration

exercise crosses many populations. “Both males and females, of all ages, can enhance power

capabilities…the expected improvements are similar effects to those in conventional plyometric

training” (Sveen, 2013). Additionally, vibration exercise requires less technical ability, and less

time generally needed to perform workouts.

When using WBV the individual stands on a platform that oscillates up and down at a

particular frequency and amplitude. “These mechanical stimuli are transmitted to the body where

they stimulate the primary endings of the muscle spindles, which in turn activate a motor neurons

resulting in muscle contractions” (Bogaerts, 2013). The oscillatory movements of these devices

have shown to produce rapidly eccentric-concentric muscle work, which elevates metabolic rate

of the muscles activated (Cochrane, 2013). When beginning this type of program, it is

recommended that it is performed every other day, especially if a fitness routine has not already

been established. The use of vibration exercise “increases muscle electromyographic activity to a

much greater degree than the same activity without vibration” (Sveen, 2013). It enables muscles

to grow faster and improve bone density while increasing flexibility and reducing injuries due to

quicker warm-ups for muscles.

During the 1960s, Russian scientists began studies of WBV and developed ways to fine-

tune this technology. Their main focus in using this technology was to rehabilitate their

cosmonauts, after returning from space to help repair muscles from atrophy and bone density

loss due to the weightlessness of space. The researchers, led by Vladimir Nazarov, found that not

only did it stop the loss of bone density, but it also increased it and strengthened muscle tissue.

Often times, many cosmonauts were too weak on the journey back that they needed assistance

Vibration Exercise 5

leaving the aircraft. The scientists reasoned that providing a form of therapy that focused on

hyper gravitational force will yield an effective treatment (Vibra Trim, 2013).

Bone loss during long-term space flight is a critical issue that poses significant risk to the

health of astronauts (Wang, 2013). He also reported that high-frequency and low magnitude

mechanical signals were countermeasures against microgravity-induced bone loss (Wang, 2013).

This approach to deliver mechanical stimuli to the appendicular and axial skeletons elicited an

increase in bone mass. This further attracted attention to explore protective effects on

musculoskeletal system in older populations and in patients with impaired mobility. Wang states

that, “resistive exercise was a proven effective countermeasure for maintaining bone and muscle

health in bed rest experiments,” we know that long-term exposure to microgravity induces

skeletal muscle atrophy in astronauts. In this respect, he tried frequency-controlled muscle

vibration for 55 days for patients on bed rest. The results were a preservation of muscle strength

and an increase in myofiber size (Cochrane, 2013)

Additionally, the Russians have set a record of 420 days in space with the use of

vibration exercise, compared to the United States which was only 120 days and used traditional

weight bearing exercise (Pollock, 2013). That is 13 months longer than United States.

Additionally, bed ridden patients improved dramatically in 55 days with the usage of this

exercise. That is half the time spent in space by the U.S. In a study conducted by Wang, if the

patients were to continue with treatment for another 55 days, then the results would indicate that

the Russians were able to prove vibration exercise to be more superior to traditional weight

bearing methods (Vibra Trim, 2013).

Vibration Exercise 6

More commonly, WBV is used in rehabilitative centers and hospitals for elderly patients

who were injured in slips and falls. In addition to surgery, patients require physical therapy to

allow for proper healing time. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among the elderly.

The main cause of falls in the elderly is balance impairment. Improvements in this area reflect

increased strength, power, and balance in older people. According to a study conducted by Ross

Pollock, he states: “The potential to improve power, functional mobility and balance, along with

possible benefits on bone strength, suggest that WBV might be an effective intervention for falls

and fragility fracture prevention. Since exercise training has proven efficacy for falls prevention,

the clinical role of WBV would be to provide additional benefit where exercise dose was

suboptimal, or as an alternative for individuals unable to do strength and balance training”

(Pollock, 2013).

WBV at this time proves to be the only low impact exercise for the elderly and people

who have limited mobility. As with age and being immobile one loses muscle mass which leads

to a decline in strength, with all this weakening of the skeletal muscles, a person is then more

prone to falling; especially among the elderly. Sarcopenia accounts for 0.5-1% loss of muscle

mass per year after the age of 25, primarily among the elderly (Pollock, 2013).

When the elderly experience Sarcopenia, their muscles atrophy, this occurs by loss of

type 2 muscle fibers, which are reabsorbed and converted into type one with little to no change in

type 1 fibers. Type 1 fibers are also called slow twitch, and contain large amounts of

mitochondria and myoglobin. These fibers split (ATP) Adenosine triphosphate at a slow rate and

have slow contractions, which are resilient to fatigue. Type II 2 fibers are referred to as fast

twitch, and split ATP very rapidly they have a faster contraction and are more susceptible to

fatigue. They are also activated through exercise or injury, which leads to a loss of satellite cell

Vibration Exercise 7

function; Satellite cells are precursors to skeletal muscle cells which are responsible for building

type one and 2 fibers.

It has been stated that vibration training improves muscle strength by facilitating neural

control, following tonic vibration reflex muscle activation. WBV improves muscle function in

one’s health by reducing and/or reversing the age-related process of sarcopenia. Maintaining

muscle strength and muscle mass is critically important for elderly persons to perform daily

activities. WBV is a useful low-impact training modality to enhance muscle mass in older

individuals. As a result, “WBV has emerged as an alternative strength training intervention,”

(Sveen, 2013), for the immobile of any age or condition.

Having used WBV nearly every day after work for almost a year, one can honestly say it

felt re-energizing. Typically my feet and calves hurt from walking and standing all day that not

even sleep or pills could heal my aches. The vibration exercise seemed to circulate blood to the

sore area of my body and when done after 30 minutes of use felt much better. This exercise may

not just benefit the elderly but also the young.

Vibration Exercise 8

References

Bogaerts, A. (2013). Impact of Whole-Body Vibration Training Versus Fitness Training on Muscle. Journal of Gerontology, 5-630.

Cochrane, D. (2013). he Acute Effect of Vibration Exercise on Concentric Muscular . Journal of Science and Medicine, 34-527.

Pollock, R. D.-B. (2013). Pollock, Ross D., Finbarr C. Martin, and Di J. Newham. "Whole-Body Vibration in Addition to. Clinical Rehabilitation, 915-938.

Sveen, R. (2013). Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise . Physical Therapy Journal , 462-532.

Vibra Trim. (2013). Retrieved from The History of Whole Body Vibration: http://www.vibra-trim.net

Wang, H. (2013). Resistive Vibration Exercise Retards Bone Loss in Weight-Bearing Skeletons. Osteoporosis International, 78-169.