Strength Training with Superimposed Whole Body Vibration Does Not Preferentially Modulate Cortical Plasticity

Abstract EN

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to investigate 4 wks of leg strength training with and without whole body vibration (WBV) on corticospinal excitability and short-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI).

Participants (n=12) were randomly allocated to either a control or experimental (WBV) group.

All participants completed 12 squat training sessions either with (WBV group) or without (control group) exposure to WBV (f=35 Hz, A=2.5 mm).

There were significant (P<0.05) increases in squat strength and corticospinal excitability and significant (P<0.05) reductions in SICI for both groups following the 4 wk intervention.

There were no differences detected between groups for any dependant variable (P>0.05).

It appears that WBV training does not augment the increase in strength or corticospinal excitability induced by strength training alone.