03/08/2023
Benefits Of Vibration Plate
Therapeutic benefits[5] of vibration training largely include improved physical activity and mitigation of effects of aging on musculoskeletal health, which include a decrease in bone density, muscle dysfunction, and loss of skeletal strength. Vibration plates work by administering a dynamic loading effect, which helps improve the musculoskeletal health and compensates for the age-associated decline in muscle function and bone mineral density.
Better Muscle Recovery
The muscles contract and relax at a specific frequency in whole-body vibration therapy. Most training sessions[6] lead to altered skeletal muscle architecture. Vibration therapy stimulates involuntary muscle stretch reflex contractions, which lead to increased synergist muscle synchronization and motor unit activity. Whole-body vibration therapy can be used in conjunction with traditional therapies for accelerating muscle recovery after intense exercise.
Increased Muscle Strength
The normal aging process affects musculoskeletal health and physical function, as it decreases isometric voluntary muscle contraction, muscle performance, and the body’s ability to balance and coordinate. High-intensity resistance training works by increasing muscle mass and strength, particularly when combined with high-intensity vibration. Such vibration exercises increase the force of muscle contraction without causing muscle hypertrophy. This also contributes to improved balance and mobility.
Increased muscle growth, mass, and function in vibrating therapy are related to the onset of the tonic vibration reflex. According to a systematic review, vibration therapy is associated with endocrine responses including a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in testosterone and growth hormone concentrations. It has been demonstrated that the combination of progressive whole-body vibration[7] with progressive training exercises leads to relatively greater muscle mass compared to a progressive increase in training loads alone.
Reduced Bone Loss
Whole-body vibration therapy is also implicated in bone metabolism. Vibration stimuli generated by the vibration platform lead to increased blood flow in the bones, which increases nutrient supply. Vibration also promotes the differentiation of new bone cells and reduces osteoclast formation, which helps mitigate bone loss and improve physical function. Whole-body vibration therapy has direct positive effects on bone mineral density and calcium metabolism.
Better Balance
Vibration therapy in the elderly improves neuromuscular excitability, which helps enhance muscle function and decrease the risk of falls. Whole-body vibration training is an alternative therapy for improving postural control, balance, and gait in specific populations.
Decreased Muscle Soreness
Delayed-onset muscle soreness is characterized by the onset of disabling pain within 24*72 hours following unfamiliar or unaccustomed exercise. A systematic review of 71 relevant articles related to the application of vibrating training in orthopedic practice discussed that whole-body vibration therapy increases muscle power and flexibility while decreasing tightness and muscle soreness. A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that whole-body vibration therapy increases oxygen supply to the muscles.
Faster Weight Loss
Whole body vibration therapy promotes a reduction in fat mass[8] in obese and healthy overweight adults. Weight loss can be achieved by consuming a balanced diet and performing exercises in order to burn calories. Whole-body vibration therapy contributes to weight loss through more oxygen uptake, higher energy expenditure, and increased fat oxidation rate. This functions as an acceleration training to weight loss programs for improving physical fitness and maintaining weight loss, helping individuals to burn fat and lose weight faster.
Boosted immunity
Whole-body vibration therapy has several physiological benefits including increased limb blood circulation, reduced chronic pain, increased muscle power and bone density, and changes in the microbiota. The latter is associated with the interventional effects of whole-body vibration therapy on immune-related diseases[9].
Lower Blood Pressure
During whole-body vibration exercise, the increase in heart rate is proportional to respiratory oxygen uptake. Increased oxygen uptake is coherent with increased metabolic rate during muscle contraction in vibration exercise. This is related to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure owing to arterial vasodilation and changes in blood flow to muscles. Obese premenopausal women exhibit arterial stiffness, reduced muscle strength, and high blood pressure[10]. Whole-body vibration training improves sympathovagal balance, which helps reduce blood pressure and systemic arterial stiffness.
