European Review of Aging and Physical Activity (Jul 2017)

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

  • Ming-Chen Ko,
  • Long-Shan Wu,
  • Sangwoo Lee,
  • Chien-Chun Wang,
  • Po-Fu Lee,
  • Ching-Yu Tseng,
  • Chien-Chang Ho

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-017-0180-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract 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.

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