High-frequency vibration training increases muscle power in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether training on a high-frequency (28Hz) vibrating platform improves muscle power and bone characteristics in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic in a general hospital in Italy.


METHODS
Twenty-nine postmenopausal women (intervention group, n=14; matched controls, n=15).


METHODS
Participants stood on a ground-based oscillating platform for three 2-minute sessions for a total of 6 minutes per training session, twice weekly for 6 months. The controls did not receive any training. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months.


METHODS
Muscle power, calculated from ground reaction forces produced by landing after jumping as high as possible on a forceplate, cortical bone density, and biomarkers of bone turnover.


RESULTS
Over 6 months, muscle power improved by about 5% in women who received the intervention, and it remained unchanged in controls (P=.004). Muscle force remained stable in both the intervention and control groups. No significant changes were observed in bone characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Reflex muscular contractions induced by vibration training improve muscle power in postmenopausal women.
Russo
Cosimo Roberto
CR
Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, INRCA Geriatric Department, Florence, Italy.
Lauretani
Fulvio
F
Bandinelli
Stefania
S
Bartali
Benedetta
B
Cavazzini
Chiara
C
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration