In order to have any effect on the body in the long term it is vital that the body systems experience fatigue or some sort of light stress. As in other kinds of training, when the body is overloaded repeatedly and regularly, the principle of supercompensation applies. This principle is the cause of the body adapting to loading. In other words: performance will increase.
This effect has been proven several times in scientific research for both young and elderly subjects.
From research into the structural effects of vibration training it can be deduced that the increased strength resulting from WBV training can definitely be compared to the results that can be attained with conventional methods of training. But there are indications that better results may be achieved with WBV in the area of explosive power.
Another important difference between conventional training methods and WBV is that there is only a minimum of loading. No additional weights are necessary, which ensures that there is very little loading to passive structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is why WBV is highly suited to people that are difficult to train due to old age, illness, disorders, weight or injury. On the other hand, it is also highly suitable for professional athletes who want to stimulate and strengthen their muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the physical system.
Other than its influence on the muscles, WBV can also have a positive effect on bone mineral density. Vibrations cause compression and remodeling of the bone tissue which activates the production and delivery of osteoblasts (bone building cells), while reducing the activity of the osteoclasts (cells that break bone down). Repeated stimulation of this system, combined with the increased pull on the bones by the muscles, will increase bone mineral density over time. It is also likely that improved circulation and the related bone perfusion due to a better supply of nutrients, which are also more able to penetrate the bone tissue, are contributing factors.
In preventing falls and the bone fractures that often result from them, enhancing bone mineral density is not the only important issue. Increased muscle power, postural control and balance are also factors worthy of consideration. Studies involving elderly subjects have shown that all of these issues can be improved using Whole Body Vibration.
Whole Body Vibration has been indicated and proven to produce positive results for:
- Improvement in fuction
- Get up and go (GUG) test
- BalanceCounter movement jumping
- Muscle power
- Muscle length
- Muscle strength
- Motor control
- Improvement and/or amelioration of specific conditions:
- Sarcopenia
- Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
- Weight Loss
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Prevention of bed rest-induced muscle atrophy
- Low back pain
- Prevention of injury
ContraindicationsWhole Body Vibration is contraindicated for people with any of the following conditions:
- Pregnancy
- Acute thrombosis
- Serious cardiovascular disease
- Pacemaker
- Recent wounds from an accident or surgery
- Hip and knee implants
- Acute hernia, discopathy, spondylosis
- Severe diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Recent infections
- Severe migrane
- Tumor
- Recently placed intrauterine devices, metal pins or plates
- Organ failure
- Clinical conditions in which wbv is not indicated