Effect of whole body vibration training on lower limb performance in selected high-level ballet students.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of whole body vibration (WBV) training on vertical jump ability (CMJ) and knee-extensor performance at selected external loads (50, 70, and 100 kg; leg-press exercise) in elite ballerinas. Twenty-two (age, 21.25 +/- 1.5 years) full-time ballerinas were assigned randomly to the experimental (E, n = 11) and control (C, n = 11) groups. The experimental group was submitted to WBV training 3 times per week before ballet practice. During the training period, the E and C groups undertook the same amount of ballet practice. Posttraining CMJ performance significantly increased in E group (6.3 +/- 3.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, E group showed significant (p < 0.05-0.001) posttraining average leg-press power and velocity improvements at all the external loads considered. Consequently, the force-velocity and power-velocity relationship shifted to the right after WBV training in the E group. The results of the present study show that WBV training is an effective short-term training methodology for inducing improvements in knee-extensor explosiveness in elite ballerinas.
Annino
Giuseppe
G
School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. g_annino@hotmail.com
Padua
Elvira
E
Castagna
Carlo
C
Di Salvo
Valter
V
Minichella
Stefano
S
Tsarpela
Olga
O
Manzi
Vincenzo
V
D'Ottavio
Stefano
S
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology