Whole body vibration: unsupervised training or combined with a supervised multi-purpose exercise for fitness?
The aim of the study was to compare the effect of an unsupervised whole body vibration (WBV) training and two different supervised multi-purpose exercise programmes, with and without WBV, on body composition, functional fitness and self-reported well-being in middle-aged adults. Fifty-four healthy participants (age 48.6 ± 6.7 years) were randomly assigned to a vibration group (VG), a multi-purpose exercise group (MG) and a multi-purpose exercise with vibration group (VMG) and trained 3 days a week for 4 months. VG performed a standardised unsupervised WBV protocol, MG a supervised multi-purpose exercise and VMG a multi-purpose exercise including vibration. After training, drop out was significantly higher in VG group (P = 0.016) when compared to VMG group. In both MG and VMG, body composition, sit-up, push-up, sit and reach, agility test, hopping test and self-reported general health significantly improved (P < 0.05). No additive effects were generated by the vibration stimulus. Percentage of body fat and agility test in VG had a significant opposite trend compared to VMG group (P < 0.05). In summary, an unsupervised WBV training should not be chosen for training protocol. However, positive effects on physical fitness and the best results in adherence could be achieved integrating WBV practice into a multi-purpose exercise training.
a Department of Movement, Human, and Health Sciences , University of Rome "Foro Italico" , Rome , Italy.
Gian Pietro
GP
Emerenziani
Marco
M
Meucci
Maria Chiara
MC
Gallotta
Cosme Franklim
CF
Buzzachera
Laura
L
Guidetti
Carlo
C
Baldari
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010349:Patient Compliance; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012648:Self Care; D014732:Vibration