title: Exploring the effects of a 20-week whole-body vibration training programme on leg muscle performance and function in persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the acute effects of long-term whole-body vibration on leg muscle performance and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients with multiple sclerosis (mean age 47.9 ± 1.9 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.3 ± 0.2) were assigned randomly to whole-body vibration training (n = 11) or to a control group (n = 14).
  
  
  METHODS
  The whole-body vibration group performed static and dynamic leg squats and lunges on a vibration platform (25-45 Hz, 2.5 mm amplitude) during a 20-week training period (5 training sessions per 2-week cycle), and the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. PRE-, MID- (10 weeks) and POST- (20 weeks) knee-muscle maximal isometric and dynamic strength, strength endurance and speed of movement were measured using isokinetic dynamometry. Function was determined through the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, Two-minute Walk Test and the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leg muscle performance and functional capacity were not altered following 10 or 20 weeks of whole-body vibration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under the conditions of the present study, the applied 20-week whole-body vibration exercise protocol did not improve leg muscle performance or functional capacity in mild- to moderately impaired persons with multiple sclerosis during and immediately after the training programme.
authors.affiliation: REVAL Rehabilitation & Healthcare Research Center, Department Healthcare, PHL-University College, Diepenbeek, Belgium. tom.broekmans@uhasselt.be
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Broekmans
authors.forename: Machteld
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roelants
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alders
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Bert O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Eijnde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*