Vibration training was introduced more than 20 years ago as an alternative method to improve strength, power, and flexibility and whole-body vibration training (WBVT) is now increasingly being used in sports performance and rehabilitation internationally.[i] [ii]

We will review some of the potential health-related benefits of WBV in this article.

Age-related changes in muscle function 

Physical exercise is vital for the management of undesirable clinical conditions due to age, and WBVT can be an essential intervention due to its safety and efficacy. 

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis provide evidence that WBV exercise reduces fall rate in adults above 50 years of age.[iii]

Bone mineral density (BMD)

We know that a mechanical stimulus is necessary to maintain bone health.[iv] 

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis show that WBV training was not only useful for counteracting the loss of muscle strength associated with sarcopenia in older adults but also has a positive effect on bone mass and structure. Evidence shows that WBV is a potential nonpharmacological intervention for improving bone mass in postmenopausal and older women, particularly on the lumbar spine, which was shown the most sensitive area.3  

METABOLIC EFFECTS OF VIBRATIONS

WBVT has been shown to cause clear metabolic responses, similar to other forms of exercise. It seems that WBVT may represent a mild form of training for the cardiovascular system. [v] [vi] [vii] Especially older people can make use of this form of exercise when other solutions are not possible. 

In summary, WBVT has been shown to improve body composition, muscular strength, and cardiovascular health. Since it does not require utilising conventional dynamic exercises such as free weight or progressive movement, even an elderly population can use as an exercise modality. 

When using Power Plate technology, it is crucial to recognise that body posture and type of vibrating plate used, affect transmissibility of vibration to the spine and the head when exercises are performed standing on the plate. Lying on the plate and/ or sitting on the plate should be discouraged as transmission to the head is quite high.

[i] Issurin VB, Tenenbaum G. Acute and residual effects of vibratory stimulation on explosive strength in elite and amateur athletes. J Sports Sci. 1999;17(3):177–182.

[ii] Cardinale M, Bosco C. The use of vibration as an exercise intervention. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2003;31(1):3–7.

[iii] Jepsen DB et al. , Effect of whole-body vibration exercise in preventing falls and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2017;7:e018342 

[iv] Frost HM. Wolff's Law and bone's structural adaptations to mechanical usage: an overview for clinicians. Angle Orthod 1994;64:175–88

[v] Rittweger J, Beller G, Felsenberg D. Acute physiological effects of exhaustive whole-body vibration exercise in man. Clin Physiol 2000;20:134–42.

[vi] Kerschan-Schindl K, Grampp S, Henk C, et al. Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume. Clin Physiol 2001;21:377–82

[vii] Rittweger J, Ehrig J, Just K, et al. Oxygen uptake in whole-body vibration exercise: influence of vibration frequency, amplitude, and external load. Int J Sports Med 2002;23:428–32.