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Whole Body Vibration
A Summary of Research on Whole Body Vibration Machines
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- Raise metabolism
- Build muscle strength
- Induce lipolysis (breakdown of fat)
- Build bone mass and bone mineral density
- Elevate HGH levels (human growth hormone)
- Reduce cortisol levels (stress hormone)
- Reduce back & joint pain
- Increase range of motion
- Rehabilitate injuries
- Elevate serotonin levels ('happy' neurotransmitter) to help improve memory decline
- Improve lymphatic flow
- Improve circulation
- Decrease blood pressure
- Increase blood oxygenation
- Increase energy levels
- Increase flexibility
- Encourage digestion and colonic movement
- Visibly improve body tone
- Strengthen core muscles
- Increase balance and continence
- Wash out lactic acid and other acidic waste products from the body
Increased bone mineral density and balance reducing risk of bone fractures:
Whole-body vibration has been tested for the ability to prevent bone fractures and osteoporosis in frail people. The University of Extremadura (Spain) set out to test this over a period of 8 months with a control group that were given walking exercises. Both groups were prescribed 3 sessions per week for 8 months. Vibratory training was approximately 6 minutes per session. Each walking session was 55 minutes of walking and 5 minutes of stretching. The results after 8 months in the vibratory training group was that bone mineral density was increased by 4.3% compared to the Walking group. Balance was also improved 29%.
Improved circulation, increases in muscle flexibility and strength, elevated secretion of hormones important in the regeneration and repair process:
Whole-body vibration has been tested in this are by measuring skin blood flow. A study performed by Loma Linda University, California, compared the effect of cardio exercise, weight bearing exercise and vibration training. They found that short duration vibration exercise significantly increases skin blood flow compared with other exercise groups. In fact on average skin blood flow was doubled for a minimum of 10 minutes following vibratory exercise.
Walking ability in the elderly:
The Kawashima Orthopaedic Clinic in Japan conducted a study of the effect of whole body vibration on elderly persons (average age 72) undergoing routine exercise programmes to improve balance. Vibration sessions were 4 minutes once per week. After 2 months, those using vibration machines exhibited significant improvements in walking speed, step length and the maximum standing time on one leg. No significant changes occurred in patients that performed the routine exercises alone group. Whole body vibration exercise was safe and well tolerated in the elderly.
Vibration training as effective as going to the gym:
The Physiotherapy Department at Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium concluded that standing on a vibrating surface is as beneficial as going to the gym for improving leg strength and speed of movement. The study was for 3 sessions per week over 6 months.
Human Growth Hormone increase and Cortisol reduction:
In a study carried out by the Societa Stampa Sportiva, Rome, Italy, 6 minutes of whole-body vibration treatment was shown to induce acute responses in the hormone profile of the men studied. Whole body vibration significantly increased the participants' levels of Human Growth Hormone and Testosterone while simultaneously reducing Cortisol levels. The study found that the biological mechanism produced by vibration training is similar to the effect produced by explosive power training (jumping and bouncing).
Improved oxygen update during Whole Body Vibration Exercise:
The university of Berlin investigated oxygen uptake during different types of exercise with and without whole body vibration. A further study indicates that metabolic power in whole-body VbX can be parametrically controlled by frequency and amplitude, and by application of additional loads.
