Exploring Whole-Body Vibration Transmission Through the Human Body in Different Postures on a Large Vibration Platform

Abstract

The positive effects of whole-body vibration exercise in rehabilitation, sport, fitness and preventive medicine have led to a proliferation of vibrating platforms. However, discrepancies have been claimed between the manufacturers’ vibration parameters and the vibration applied by the platforms. In addition, the dimensions, materials and motors used in their manufacture mean that each platform behaves differently. These factors can influence their transmission to the human body and, consequently, their effects. Thus, measured vibration parameters were recommended to report the vibration parameters as accurately as possible. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the feasibility of a large vibration platform. Measurements of vibration parameters and their transmission were added. These parameters were measured using six accelerometers (platform, ankle, knee, hip, third lumbar vertebra, and head) throughout five postures (toe-standing, erect, high squat, deep squat, and lunge) and three vibration frequencies (20 Hz, 25 Hz, and 30 Hz). On the platform, peak accelerations of 1 ± 0.2 g, displacements of 1 ± 0.1 mm at 20 Hz and 25 Hz and 0.6 mm at 30 Hz, and a frequency from the setting of +0.5 Hz were obtained. In the human body, peak accelerations can exceed 2 g, and these transmissibility amplifications were found at the ankles and knees. However, at the hip, accelerations plummet and transmissibility attenuation occurs all the way to the head. The signal purity was highly satisfactory, although at the hip and third lumbar vertebra when adopting the toe-standing and lunge, some less satisfactory results were found—especially at 20 Hz and 30 Hz. Present data indicate that the long vibration platform can be used for exercise and health in a safe way, although its specific behaviours have to be taken into account in order to optimise its applicability.

Keywords

• whole-body vibration
• exercise
• transmissibility
• transmission