Systematically Controlling for the Influence of Age, Sex, Hertz and Time Post-Whole-Body Vibration Exposure on Four Measures of Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults : A Randomized Cross-Over Study

Abstract EN

Though popular, there is little agreement on what whole-body vibration (WBV) parameters will optimize performance.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of age, sex, hertz and time on four physical function indicators in community-dwelling older adults (N=32).

Participants were exposed to 2 min WBV per session at either 2 Hz or 26 Hz and outcome measures were recorded at 2, 20 and 40 min post-WBV.

Timed get up-and-go and chair sit-and-reach performances improved post-WBV for both sexes, were significantly different between 2 Hz and 26 Hz treatments (P≤0.05) and showed statistically significant interactions between age and gender (P≤0.01).

Counter movement jump and timed one-legged stance performances showed a similar but non-significant response to 2 Hz and 26 Hz treatments, though male subjects showed a distinct trended response.

Age and gender should be statistically controlled and both 2 Hz and 26 Hz exert a treatment effect.