Acute effects of whole-body vibration on energy metabolism during aerobic exercise.

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of preworkout whole-body vibration (WBV) in optimizing energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during subsequent aerobic exercise.

METHODS

Nine male and seven female subjects underwent six sets of 10 body weight squats on a vibration platform with either no WBV (NV), 40-Hz WBV at lower amplitude (1-2 mm) (LV), or 40-Hz WBV at higher amplitude (2-3 mm) (HV) in a randomized order. Each WBV treatment was immediately followed by 20 min of constant-load cycle exercise at an intensity that elicited 65% VO2peak. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured continuously during both the WBV treatment and the subsequent exercise. Heart rate (HR) was recorded at the end of each set of body weight squat during the vibration treatment and continuously during the subsequent exercise. Rates of carbohydrate (COX) and fat oxidation (FOX) were calculated based on VO2 and VCO2 using the stoichiometric equations.

RESULTS

During the WBV treatment, VO2 in both l∙min-1 and mL∙kg-1∙min-1 were higher (P<0.05) in HV than NV, while no differences in VO2 were seen between HV and LV and between LV and NV. These metabolic responses occurred similarly in both males and females. During subsequent exercise, VO2 was higher (P<0.05) in HV than NV at 5th and 10th min of exercise. No between-trial differences in HR, COX, and FOX were observed during either the WBV treatment or the subsequent exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

40-Hz WBV at higher amplitude augments oxygen uptake, which persists through the early portion of aerobic exercise that commences immediately after WBV. The increased metabolic effect of WBV seems load-dependent as WVB with amplitude smaller than 2 mm did not elevate VO2 significantly. Men and women respond similarly to a vibratory stimulus despite the difference in body mass.