Effects of whole-body vibration training with the same amplitude and different frequencies on the proximal femoral bone density in elderly women.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the whole-body vibration training with the same amplitude and different vibration frequencies was used to compare the difference in bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femurs in elderly women.

METHODS

This study included three age-, height-, and weight-matched groups; the medium-frequency group (N.=19) received 24 weeks of whole-body vibration training with a vibration frequency of 20 Hz; the high-frequency group (N.=18) received 24 weeks of whole-body vibration training with a vibration frequency of 40 Hz; and the control group (N.=19) received no intervention. Changes in the BMD of the proximal femur on the dominant side in the three groups were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

According to the between-group comparison, the BMD of the greater trochanter and Ward's triangle in the middle-frequency group increased by 7.6% and 13.3%, respectively (P<0.05), while the BMD of the greater trochanter and Ward's triangle in the high-frequency group increased by 10.6% and 16.9%, respectively (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in BMD between the medium-frequency group and the high-frequency group at 24 weeks (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-body vibration training with a frequency of 20 Hz and 40 Hz improved the BMD of the proximal femurs in elderly women to varying degrees but had no significant effect on femoral neck BMD. Under the same amplitude conditions, an increase in vibration frequency did not cause further changes in BMD.