Dr. Biermann’s work was further developed in the 1970’s by Vladimir Nazarov, a Russian scientist, who began experimenting with the use of vibration on athletes. Nazarov observed a substantial increase in the flexibility and strength of the athletes studied after the application of vibration.  Nazarov is credited with developing Biomechanical Stimulation which uses vibration stimulation directly on muscles or tendons.

Shortly thereafter, the Russian Space Program began using the localized vibration training to prevent bone density changes in their cosmonauts.  They recognized that this new exercise had the potential to provide suitable countermeasures for preventing bone and muscle loss caused by exposure to zero gravity environments (outer space).  Whole Body Vibration was later used to enhance the performance of Soviet athletes during their exercise training.

Until the dissolution of the Soviet Union, WBV was only really known about and used by the Soviets.  During the 1990’s, WBV began to leak into the West. By the turn of the century, vibration platforms with various types of displacement were available on the market as the technology was gaining attention.

The industry is growing at an incredible rate and new developments in applications for and benefits of WBV are being discovered constantly.  Today NASA, The Russian Space Institute, and the European Space Agency are experimenting with various types ofvibration systems in an effort to further develop the technology and gain the ultimate benefits from vibration stimulus.