title: Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on muscular strength and power, functional mobility and self-reported knee function in middle-aged and older Japanese women with knee pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whole-body vibration training using vertical-vibration machines is called "acceleration training" (AT). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of AT on lower-limb muscular strength and power, functional mobility and self-reported knee function in middle-aged and older Japanese women with knee pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight middle-aged and older Japanese women (aged 50-73 years) with knee pain were divided into two groups: (1) the AT group (n=29) engaged in AT three times per week for eight weeks, and (2) the control group (C group, n=9). The AT program consisted of flexibility training, strength training of mainly the quadriceps and surrounding muscles and cool-down exercises. The C group was encouraged to perform the same or similar exercises at home without vibratory stimulus. We evaluated knee strength and power, functional mobility (timed up and go: TUG) and self-reported knee function (Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure: JKOM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No one in the AT group dropped out during the program. All JKOM categories except degree of pain improved significantly post intervention indicating improved knee function, and TUG was significantly shorter in these participants. All knee strength and power parameters except isometric knee extension peak torque improved significantly. The degree of change in JKOM total score and TUG was significantly different between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vibratory stimulus during an eight week AT programme can promote participation and safely improve functional mobility and self-reported knee function better than exercise without vibratory stimulus in middle-aged and older Japanese women with knee pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  level 2.
authors.affiliation: Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Finland; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan. Electronic address: tsuji.t.taishi@jyu.fi.
authors.forename: Taishi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Jieun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aiba
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan; University of Tsukuba, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanamori
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okura
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D044466:Asian People; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Acceleration training; JKOM score; Knee osteoarthritis