Q: I have heard about whole body vibration equipment and that it is a good way to mix up the exercise routine as well as achieve amazing physical benefits. Is this true? — Albert Taylor, Denver
A: It came from outer space! No, really, it did.
More than 40 years ago, the Russians developed vibration training as part of the then-Soviet Union’s space program. Its purpose was to help cosmonauts stay in top physical condition for long periods of time. Because bone loss is a concern for those who live in weightless environments, vibration training was developed to engage and stimulate as many muscle fibers as possible, which researchers hoped would help maintain bone mass. From there, the Russians started experimenting with other athletes in order to improve performance. Today their research is being re-examined for signs of a whole host of potential benefits.
Every object, including the human body, has its own vibration frequency measured in hertz (or Hz), which indicate cycles per second. Because the human body vibrates at between 15 and 20 Hz, it was discovered that stimulating the body with 30 to 50 Hz caused nearly 100 percent of the body’s muscle fibers to be recruited, or put into action, as opposed to the 40 to 60 percent recruited in regular strength or resistance training.
German researchers Christian Haas and Dietmar Schmidtbleicher of the Institute of Sports Sciences in Frankfurt researched knee rehabilitation and found that vibration training was indeed helpful in recovery from this injury.
Research is ongoing, not only in the areas of athletic performance and rehabilitation, but also regarding bone density, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery, fibromyalgia and spinal-cord injuries, just to name a few.
Sports pros — football, baseball, runners and cyclists — as well as a number of movie stars have embraced this type of training, citing improved performance, fewer injuries, better endurance, better muscle tone and weight loss.
Exercising on whole-body vibration equipment usually involves standing on a platform that is set to a specific vibration level. The vibrations force the body to constantly seek to stabilize itself. Theoretically, therefore, every muscle is working while you are standing on the machine. Gyms in Europe and now in the United States are offering classes where participants perform strength, flexibility and even aerobic exercises on the vibration equipment.
Jim Wilson, a 17-year veteran of the personal training business, uses the Power Plate Acceleration Training at his Good Vibes Fitness Studio at 2305 S. Syracuse Way in Denver. His clients have reported reduction or disappearance of hot flashes among menopausal women; improvements in strength with those who have multiple sclerosis; weight loss, reduced appearance of cellulite; less back pain; and reduction of pain for those with fibromyalgia.
An Ohio State University study published in the March 2006 American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that those patients with fibromyalgia who completed the vibration-exercise study showed more improvements in both pain reduction and physical function than those who dropped out.
Wilson stresses that the quality of the equipment is crucial. “Significantly cheaper vibration platforms that are being advertised can have dangerously low vibration levels, which can actually cause harm,” says the trainer, who recommends looking for certified whole-body vibration instructors.
To find a location near you, go to .
Linda J. Buch (linda@ .) is a certified fitness trainer in Denver.
