title: Continuous versus intermittent stochastic resonance whole body vibration and its effect on pelvic floor muscle activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal stochastic whole body vibration (SR-WBV) load modality regarding pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity in order to complete the SR-WBV training methodology for future PFM training with SR-WBV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The continuous and the intermittent SR-WBV modalities were tested by means of electromyography in two independent groups (27 women 8 weeks to 1-year postpartum and 23 women nulliparae or >1-year postpartum) with self-reported stress urinary incontinence. The change in the PFM activity within a single set and over three sets were calculated for both SR-WBV modalities together (time effect) and for both SR-WBV modalities separately (modality-time interaction).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant or clinically relevant change in PFM activity over time or PFM fatigue in either SR-WBV modality within one or three sets and no difference between the modalities or the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of change in PFM activity could be due to a no more than moderate to submaximal PFM activity during SR-WBV, the maintenance of reflexive PFM activity despite PFM fatigue or a compensation of slow red PFM fiber fatigue by an increase of innervation frequency and motor unit recruitment of the fast white fibers. As there is no SR-WBV modality dependent difference regarding PFM activity, the continuous modality is recommended in clinical practice as it is easier to apply and less time consuming.
authors.affiliation: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland. helena.luginbuehl@bfh.ch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Luginbuehl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilfiker
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Baeyens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Radlinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D010298:Parity; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011247:Pregnancy; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013557:Switzerland; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*