Standing on a vibrating platform can provide the same benefits as exercise.

As we age, many of us find that we can’t walk or move around like we used to. While this can be partly explained as an inevitable symptom of aging, a range of health conditions – including Parkinson’s, sarcopenia and osteoporosis – can also make it harder for us to get around.

Ironically, people with these conditions are often told to exercise because it can strengthen their muscles and bones. But for someone who already has difficulty moving, getting the amount of exercise needed to see improvement will be tough. So researchers turned to a slightly more unconventional solution—which may be as elementary as standing on a vibrating platform.

Whole body vibration training involves standing, sitting or even lying on a machine with a vibrating platform. While the person performs various strength or balance exercises, the machine emits vibrations at different frequencies, usually in the range of 10 to 40 Hz.

As the platform vibrates, it stimulates muscle fibers, causing them to contract and relax—sometimes as many as 60 times per second. This makes the exercise a person performs more effective.

The reason whole-body vibration training is gaining popularity is that it is easier to do than regular exercise. This means that even people who can’t exercise normally can still get similar benefits as they would with exercise. And for those who exercise regularly, it can provide additional health benefits – including increased strength and stability.

It is believed that whole body vibration training can improve physical function for many of the same reasons that exercise does. Studies show that it can improve muscle AND bone qualityraise bone mineral density and even improve communication between our muscles and nervous system. Together, these changes make bones and muscles stronger and more competent. This can reduce the risk of falls and fractures, and even prevent diseases such as sarcopeniafrom developing.

Improving physical functions

Scientists are currently investigating whole-body vibration training for improving physical function in several health conditions.

For example, research shows that incorporating whole-body vibration training into your regular exercise routine can aid improve physical fitness if it has decreased due to aging. Even in people who did not exercise regularly, doing whole body vibration training for 15 minutes three times a week improvement of physical functions and reduced frailty compared to those who did not do vibration training. These improvements were seen up to 12 months after the study ended – while physical fitness continued to decline in participants who did not do whole-body vibration training.

Whole-body vibration training can also aid people with neurological conditions that affect movement, such as: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke AND spinal cord damage.

It is believed that because whole body vibration training increases neuromuscular activationstrengthens the connections between our muscles and brain. This allows them to communicate more effectively. Motor functions and proprioception (the body’s ability to sense movement) may improve.

Whole body vibration training can also be useful in preventing or improvement of osteoporosisVibrations generate electric charge in our bones, which can aid raise bone mineral density – and even aid create fresh bone cells. All of this works together to improve muscle strength and physical fitness.

But not all studies agree that whole-body vibration training has any effect on osteoporosis – suggesting that more research is needed to determine whether it can actually improve musculoskeletal health.

Training restrictions

Although whole body vibration training has great potential, it has some limitations that should be taken into account.

There are no studies that show that whole body vibration training has any negative effects, so it is largely It is considered safe. However, it is recommended for people with a pacemaker, pregnant women or those with a broken bone, and people with hip and knee joint replacements. avoid whole body vibration training.

There is also currently restricted evidence on the effectiveness of long-term, repeated whole-body vibration training – especially when performed at high frequencies. above 90Hz. We know from studies of people exposed to mighty vibrations for long periods of time (e.g. construction workers) that they may experience vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal problemssuch as back pain. Therefore, it will be crucial to continue to investigate the safety of high-frequency whole-body vibration training over the long term. However, since most training sessions are miniature and occur at frequencies lower than 90 Hz, it is likely to be secure during typical apply.

Another limitation of whole-body vibration training is simply that it is not used as often as it should be. This may be because healthcare professionals are not aware of its benefits or people do not have access to the machine.

It should also be said that whole-body vibration training is not intended to replace classic exercise in hearty individuals. However, for those who find it tough to exercise – especially if this is due to reduced mobility – whole-body vibration training may provide similar benefits to exercise. Current research suggests that doing 15 minutes of whole-body vibration training three times a week for over six weeks is enough to see improvement of physical functions for everyone.