Since 1996 there have been over 100 published studies done on Vibration Exercise which showed increased muscle strength, bone loss prevention, increased blood flow, positive hormonal changes and increased flexibility just to name a few. Scientific research has shown that the human body is unparalleled in its ability to adapt to various external stressors and stimuli, and the resulting benefits derived from Vibration Exercise Fitness are from that adaptation process. The muscles are forced to expand and contract just like traditional exercise, but in very small movements. It’s similar to doing very small and fast squats.

Increasing Bone Mass Density with Vibration Therapy Medical Study

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a new type of exercise that has been increasingly tested for the ability to prevent bone fractures and osteoporosis in frail people. There are two currently marketed vibrating plates: a) the whole plate oscillates up and down; b) reciprocating vertical displacements on the left and right side of a fulcrum, increasing the lateral accelerations. A few studies have shown recently the effectiveness of the up-and-down plate for increasing Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and balance; but the effectiveness of the reciprocating plate technique remains mainly unknown. The aim was to compare the effects of WBV using a reciprocating platform at frequencies lower than 20 Hz and a walking-based exercise programme on BMD and balance in post-menopausal women.

Methods

Twenty-eight physically untrained post-menopausal women were assigned at random to a WBV group or a Walking group. Both experimental programmes consisted of 3 sessions per week for 8 months. Each vibratory session included 6 bouts of 1 min (12.6 Hz in frequency and 3 cm in amplitude with 60° of knee flexion) with 1 min rest between bouts. Each walking session was 55 minutes of walking and 5 minutes of stretching. Hip and lumbar BMD (g·cm^-2) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and balance was assessed by the blind flamingo test. ANOVA for repeated measurements was adjusted by baseline data, weight and age.

Results

After 8 months, BMD at the femoral neck in the WBV group was increased by 4.3% (P = 0.011) compared to the Walking group. In contrast, the BMD at the lumbar spine was unaltered in both groups. Balance was improved in the WBV group (29%) but not in the Walking group.

Conclusion

The 8-month course of vibratory exercise using a reciprocating (oscillating) plate is feasible and is more effective than walking to improve two major determinants of bone fractures: hip BMD and balance.

Source: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov

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