Author: Carlucci F1, Orlando G, Haxhi J, Laudani L, Giombini A, Macaluso A, Pigozzi F, Sacchetti M.
Affiliation: 1From the Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome (FC, GO, JH, LL, AM, FP, MS); and Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy (AG).
Conference/Journal: Am J Phys Med Rehabil.
Date published: 2014 Sep 23
Other:
Word Count: 194
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to compare the optimal vibration frequency (OVF), which corresponds to maximal electromyographic muscle response during whole-body vibration, between young, middle-aged, and older women in four muscles of the lower-limbs.
DESIGN:
OVF was measured as the frequency corresponding to maximal root mean square of the surface electromyogram (RMSmax) during a continuous incremental protocol, with a succession of vibration frequencies from 20 to 55 Hz (A = 2 mm), on the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles of the dominant lower-limb. Seventy-eight women were divided into three age groups, that is, young, 21.6 ± 2.4 yrs; middle aged, 43.0 ± 5.2 yrs; and older, 74.2 ± 6.0 yrs.
RESULTS:
OVF in the vastus medialis was lower in the older women than in the middle-aged and young women, whereas OVF in the vastus lateralis was lower in the older than in the young women. There were no differences in OVF between muscles within each group. RMSmax was higher in the older than in the young women in all muscles.
CONCLUSIONS:
Age range should be taken into consideration when determining OVF because it decreases with age. Properly individualizing the vibration protocol might greatly influence neuromuscular effects of vibration training.
PMID: 25251250