Relevance of Whole-Body Vibration Exercises on Muscle Strength/Power and Bone of Elderly Individuals.


Author: Bemben D1, Stark C2, Taiar R3, Bernardo-Filho M4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.

<sup>2</sup>Children's and Adolescent's Hospital, and Cologne Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

<sup>3</sup>Redha Taiar, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.

<sup>4</sup>Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Conference/Journal: Dose Response.
Date published: 2018 Dec 6
Other:
 Volume ID: 16   ,  Issue ID: 4   ,  Pages: 1559325818813066   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/1559325818813066. eCollection  2018 Oct-Dec.   ,  Word Count: 226  
    Beneficial effects are associated with whole-body vibration exercises (WBVEs). Increases in muscular strength/power, flexibility, and gait speed; improvements in bone mineral density, balance, and the quality of life; and decreased pain and risk of falls are reported. The aim is to present a review about the importance of WBVE for elderly individuals, considering clinical studies and meta-analyses, on bone and muscle strength/power. There is evidence supporting beneficial effect of WBVE in postmenopausal women (PW); however, effects in PW with osteoporosis are unclear. Age-related decrease in muscle mass and function contribute to undesirable health conditions, including death risk. The WBVEs improve muscle strength/power, functional independence measure, balance, and various fall risk factors, and mobility, measured by Timed Up and Go test, increased significantly after WBVE. An explanation for the absence of positive effects in some outcomes could be related to discrepancies in WBVE protocols as well as the populations tested. It is concluded that WBVE is effective for counteracting the loss of muscle strength associated with sarcopenia in elderly individuals. Balance and leg and plantar flexor strength improvements due to WBV indicate benefit to reduce risk and incidence of falls, frailty, and fracture risks. However, long-term feasibility of WBVE for musculoskeletal and bone health in elderly individuals needs further investigation.



KEYWORDS: bone; elderly; muscle strength/power; postmenopausal women; whole-body vibration



PMID: 30559636 PMCID: PMC6291875 DOI: 10.1177/1559325818813066