Effects of Controlled Whole-Body Vibration Training on Functional Performance Among Healthy Older Adults: A 6-Week Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND

Falling is the second leading cause of injury-related death worldwide and is a leading cause of injury among older adults. Whole-body vibration has been used to improve fall risk factors in older adults. No study has assessed if vibration benefits can be retained over time.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to examine if six-weeks of whole-body vibration could improve fall risk factors and to assess if benefits associated with the training program could be sustained two months following the final training session.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Repeated measures randomized controlled design.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four independent living older adults were recruited and were randomly assigned to the WBV or control group.

INTERVENTION

Participants performed three sessions of whole-body vibration training per week with a vibration frequency of 20Hz or with only an audio recording of the vibration noise. An assessment of fall risk factors was performed prior to, immediately following, and two-months after the completion of the training program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fall risk factors including functional capacity, mobility, strength, and walking speed were assessed pre-training, post-training, and two-months post-training.

RESULTS

Seventeen participants completed the study. No improvements (p<0.05) between groups were found in the measures of physical performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings revealed that six weeks of whole-body vibration is not effective in improving fall risk factors or producing benefits post-training.