The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Upper and Lower Body Strength in Older Adults

Background: Falling is the second leading cause of injury-related death worldwide and is a leading cause of injury among older adults. Whole-body vibration has been used to improve fall risk factors in older adults. No study has assessed if vibration benefits can be retained over time. Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine if six-weeks of whole-body vibration could improve fall risk factors and to assess if benefits associated with the training program could be sustained two months following the final training session. Design and Setting: Repeated measures randomized controlled design. Participants: Twenty-four independent living older adults were recruited and were randomly assigned to the WBV or control group. Intervention: Participants performed three sessions of whole-body vibration training per week with a vibration frequency of 20Hz or with only an audio recording of the vibration noise. An assessment of fall risk factors was performed prior to, immediately following, and two-months after the completion of the training program. Main Outcome Measures: Fall risk factors including functional capacity, mobility, strength, and walking speed were assessed pre-training, post-training, and two-months post-training. Results: Seventeen participants completed the study. No improvements (p<0.05) between groups were found in the measures of physical performance. Conclusions: Findings revealed that six weeks of whole-body vibration is not effective in improving fall risk factors or producing benefits post-training.

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The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Biomarkers and Health Beliefs of Prefrail Older Adults

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3557

Author(s):

Wen Chu ◽

Hui-Chun Yang ◽

Shu-Fang Chang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Whole Body Vibration ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Whole Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Body Vibration ◽

Vibration Training ◽

Whole Body Vibration Training ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Frailty poses a considerable risk to the performance of daily living activities, affecting the quality of life of older adults and increasing their risks of falling, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Frailty is related to pathology with a state of negative energy balance, sarcopenia, diminished muscle strength, and low tolerance for exertion. Few intervention studies have been conducted on prefrail community-dwelling older adults. This study investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training on the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a quasi-experimental research. Ninety participants were allocated to either an experimental or control group. This study followed the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND) guidelines for quasi-experimental research design. The experimental group participated in a 12-week whole-body vibration training conducted three times per week, with 5-min continuous vibration at 12-Hz frequency and 3-mm amplitude each time. DVDs on resistance training and manuals were provided to the control group. The data were analysed through descriptive analysis, a chi-square test, an independent t test, a paired t test, and analysis of covariance. There were 42 people in the experimental group and 48 people in the control group. After the 12-week training and intervention, ANCOVA is used to analyze the experimental and control group’s results. Experimental results in 30s chair stand test (F = 98.85, p < 0.05), open-eye stand on dominant foot test (F = 26.15, p < 0.05), two–minute-step test (F = 25.89, p < 0.05), left-leg bone mineral density (F = 14.71, p < 0.05), barriers of perceived frailty (F = 39.81, p < 0.05) and cues to action (F = 92.96, p < 0.05) in health beliefs are statistically significant compared to the control group’s results. The 12-week whole-body vibration program employed in this study partly improved the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We recommend whole-body vibration training as an exercise strategy, thereby improving community-dwelling older adults’ biomarkers and health beliefs.

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