Use of vibration training to enhance muscular strength and power in athletes
LE3 .A278 2015
2015
Fowles, Jonathon
Acadia University
Bachelor of Kinesiology
Honours
Kinesiology
Whole body vibration (WBV) training is a new technology that is said to result in similar physiological adaptations as found with resistance and plyometric training. WBV has recently been considered as a warm-up modality, with athletes showing increased strength and power post-exercise with WBV. A review of available literature indicates that dynamic exercise paired with WBV positively influences strength and power, commonly measured using a vertical jump test. The literature also suggests that a secondary effect of WBV training may be increased flexibility. The mechanisms believed to play a major role in the physiological adaptations that result from WBV training are post-activation potentiation (PAP) and the tonic vibration reflex (TVR), though more research is needed to identify the existence and role of these physiological mechanisms with WBV training as well as performance improvements. Consequently, this study concurrently tested for performance effects by analyzing vertical jump, and muscle stimulation data, aiming to validate the existence of physiological mechanisms. We observed that performance did improve over time, demonstrating a significant effect for time in both the vibration and control conditions. We also observed an interaction with condition and time for twitch data, indicating a slightly depressed twitch force following vibration relative to control. Future research should aim to test performance and muscle stimulation changes concurrently while avoiding fatigue.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:1251