What is Whole Body Vibration?
The first applications of vibration for the improvement
of human performance were developed in ancient Greece;
a saw covered in cotton was used as a tool to transmit
mechanical vibrations to the part of the body that was
not functioning properly. In the 1880's and 1890's, Dr.
John Harvey Kellogg was utilizing vibrating chairs,
platforms and bars at his Battle Creek, Michigan
sanitarium. These modalities were part of his
"wellness" strategies for inpatient and outpatient
populations.
TRAINING EFFECTS OF VIBRATION
Immediate and short term effects of WBV
Because more muscle fibers (also known as motor units) are activated under the influence of vibration than in normal, conscious muscle contractions the muscles are incited more efficiently (Paradisis & Zacharogiannis 2007 [11]; Lamont et al. 2006 [12]; Cormie et al 2006 [13]; Bosco et al. 1999 [9], 2000 [14]; Rittweger 2001 [15], 2002 [16]; Abercromby et al. 2005 [17]; Amonette et al. 2005 [18]). The immediate effect of WBV is therefore that the muscles can be used quickly and efficiently, rendering them capable of producing more force. However, this process will only be effective if the stimulus is not too intense and does not last too long, because otherwise performance will diminish due to fatigue.
Another immediate effect of WBV is an improvement of circulation. The rapid contraction and relaxation of the muscles at 20 to 50 times per second basically works as a pump on the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, increasing the speed of the blood flow through the body (Kerschan-Schindl et al 2001 [19]; Lohman et al. 2007 [20]). Subjects often experience this as a tingling, prickling, warm sensation in the skin. Both Stewart (2005 [21]) and Oliveri (1989 [22]) describe the appearance of vasodilatation (widening of the blood vessels) as a result of vibration
Long term effects of WBV
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 will occur. This principle is the cause of the body adapting to loading. In other words: performance will increase.
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 the passive structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is why WBV is extremely suited to people that are difficult to train due to old age, disease, disorders, weight or injury. On the other hand, it is also very suitable for professional athletes who want to stimulate and strengthen their muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the physical system (Cochrane et al 2005 [26]; Mahieu et al 2006 [27]).
of human performance were developed in ancient Greece;
a saw covered in cotton was used as a tool to transmit
mechanical vibrations to the part of the body that was
not functioning properly. In the 1880's and 1890's, Dr.
John Harvey Kellogg was utilizing vibrating chairs,
platforms and bars at his Battle Creek, Michigan
sanitarium. These modalities were part of his
"wellness" strategies for inpatient and outpatient
populations.
TRAINING EFFECTS OF VIBRATION
Immediate and short term effects of WBV
Because more muscle fibers (also known as motor units) are activated under the influence of vibration than in normal, conscious muscle contractions the muscles are incited more efficiently (Paradisis & Zacharogiannis 2007 [11]; Lamont et al. 2006 [12]; Cormie et al 2006 [13]; Bosco et al. 1999 [9], 2000 [14]; Rittweger 2001 [15], 2002 [16]; Abercromby et al. 2005 [17]; Amonette et al. 2005 [18]). The immediate effect of WBV is therefore that the muscles can be used quickly and efficiently, rendering them capable of producing more force. However, this process will only be effective if the stimulus is not too intense and does not last too long, because otherwise performance will diminish due to fatigue.
Another immediate effect of WBV is an improvement of circulation. The rapid contraction and relaxation of the muscles at 20 to 50 times per second basically works as a pump on the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, increasing the speed of the blood flow through the body (Kerschan-Schindl et al 2001 [19]; Lohman et al. 2007 [20]). Subjects often experience this as a tingling, prickling, warm sensation in the skin. Both Stewart (2005 [21]) and Oliveri (1989 [22]) describe the appearance of vasodilatation (widening of the blood vessels) as a result of vibration
Long term effects of WBV
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 will occur. This principle is the cause of the body adapting to loading. In other words: performance will increase.
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 the passive structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is why WBV is extremely suited to people that are difficult to train due to old age, disease, disorders, weight or injury. On the other hand, it is also very suitable for professional athletes who want to stimulate and strengthen their muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the physical system (Cochrane et al 2005 [26]; Mahieu et al 2006 [27]).