Effects of whole body vibration training and mental training on mobility, neuromuscular performance, and muscle strength in older men

What is it about?

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise, mental training (MT), and the concurrent effect of WBV and MT on lower body balance, neuromuscular performance, and leg muscle strength in elderly men. In a randomized control trial study with parallel group design, 42 older men (mean± standard deviation age, 68± 5.78 years) were randomly divided into four groups: WBV (n= 11), MT (n= 12), WBV+MT (n= 10), and control (n= 9) groups. The protocol of training consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks and about 30 min for each session. The WBV exercise was performed on a vibration machine. In MT group, participants were asked to mentally visualize to do the Timed Up and Go and relaxation technics. postural stability, the Timed Up and Go test, 5-repetition chair-rising test, 6-m tandem gait test, 10-m walking, and leg isometric strength were measured in baseline and after 8-week intervention. Repeated measures-analysis of variance followed by post hoc was used to analyses the data. The results of this study s howed that there were significant improvements (P< 0.05) in postural stability, Timed Up and Go, 5-repetition chair-rising, 6-m tandem gait test, 10-m walking, and leg isometric strength in WBV, MT, and WBV+MT in comparison with baseline and in comparison with control group. It seems that older adults can take benefit from WBV and MT and WBV+MT exercise as a cost-effective and practical way without side effects to improve postural control, mobility, and functional performance.

Featured Image

Photo by Wiebrig Krakau on Unsplash

Photo by Wiebrig Krakau on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Age-related decrease in muscle mass and strength leads to declined mobility, independence, augmented fall risk, and lessened quality of life (Bogaerts et al., 2007a). Some of the risk factors, including loss of muscle strength and muscle power in lower extremities, balance and postural control as well as functional mobility have been recognized as responsible for the increase in chances of falling (Osugi et al., 2014). Therefore, finding the practical way to prevent and treat this ailment, specifically concerning improvements in balance and postural control seems necessary. It is confirmed that a different kind of exercise, such as aerobic and resistance exercises as well as tai-chi have effectively increased physical fitness and decreased the chances of falling among older people (Von Stengel et al., 2012). However, due to other age-related restrictions, such as cardiac limitation, weak balance or absence of enough motivation or willingness, many people are incapable of, or reluctant to do common and traditional exercises. Therefore, researchers have been looking for new approaches that are, first and foremost, suitable for enhancing physical fitness and neuromuscular performance and are consequently feasible and comfortable for older people.

Perspectives