PURPOSE: The effects of different types of whole body vibration (WBV) training on neuromuscular performance and body composition were determined in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In the Erlangen Longitudinal Vibration Study II (ELVIS-II-Study) 108 postmenopausal women between 60 and 75 years of age (average 65.8 +/- 3.5 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: two WBV training-groups (n = 36 each), each performing an identical program thrice a week for 15 min on two different types of vibration plates for one year: (1) vertical vibrating, 35 Hz, 1.7 mm (VG); (2) rotational vibrating 12.5 Hz, 12 mm (RG). A control group (n = 36) conducted a low intensity gymnastic and relaxation program. Muscular strength and power were assessed, body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and pain intensity was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Maximum leg strength (VG 24.4%; RG 26.6%; KG 6.2%; p < 0.001) and maximum trunk flexion strength (VG 12.2%; RG 11.5%; KG -5.5%; p = 0.01) significantly increased in both vibration groups. No changes were found for body composition parameters (lean body mass, appendicular muscle mass, fat mass). Pain intensity in the big joints (p < 0.05) decreased in both vibration groups, in the lumbar spine region this was not significant. There was no difference between vibration types. No vibration-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that WBV might be an alternative to classic training contents to increase maximum strength and reduce pain.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher