Whole-body vibration training improves balance control and sit-to-stand performance among middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Author: Ko MC1,2, Wu LS3, Lee S2, Wang CC1, Lee PF1,4, Tseng CY1, Ho CC1
Affiliation:
1Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, 24205 Taiwan.
2Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 762 USA.
3Graduate Institute of Sports Training, University of Taipei, Taipei City, 11153 Taiwan.
4Graduate Institute of Sport Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei City, 11114 Taiwan.
Conference/Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act.
Date published: 2017 Jul 18
Other: Volume ID: 14 , Pages: 11 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s11556-017-0180-8. eCollection 2017. , Word Count: 287


BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with decreased balance, which increases falling risk. The objective of the current study was to determine the feasibility and effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on knee extensor muscle power, limits of stability, and sit-to-stand performance among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in the United States.

METHODS: A randomized pilot study with participant blinding was conducted. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and compliance rate. Twenty-nine community-dwelling older adults were randomly assigned to perform body-weight exercises with either an individualized vibration frequency and amplitude, a fixed vibration frequency and amplitude, or no vibration. Isokinetic knee extensor power, limits of stability, and sit-to-stand tests were conducted before beginning the exercises (baseline) and after 8 weeks of training.

RESULTS: With a favorable recruitment rate (58%) and compliance rates (attrition 9%; adherence 85%), the intervention was deemed feasible. The limits of stability endpoint excursion score for the individualized frequency-amplitude group was increased by 8.8 (12.9%; P = 0.025) after training, and that group's maximum excursion score was increased by 9.2 (11.5%; P = 0.006) after training. The average weight transfer time score was significantly decreased by 0.2 s in the fixed group. The participants in the individualized group demonstrated a significant increase (3.2%) in weight rising index score after 8 weeks of WBV training.

CONCLUSIONS: WBV training is feasible for use with elderly people, and this study achieved good recruitment and compliance. The present paper suggests that 8 weeks of WBV training improves limits of stability and sit-to-stand performance. Future studies must determine whether WBV training improves other factors that affect posture control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the Texas Woman's University Institutional Review Board [TWU IRB 17632] on the 3rd of November 2014.

KEYWORDS: Balance; Limits of stability; Postural control; Sit-to-stand test; Whole-body vibration training

PMID: 28729887 PMCID: PMC5516349 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-017-0180-8

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