Whole Body Vibration--or WBV--is a new category of exercising. It is dependent on a mechanical device. WBV affects the muscles and organs on a cellular level, and hundreds of studies have defined its benefits and limitations in therapy, building bone density, strength development and weight loss. A 15-minute WBV workout can provide all the benefits of a 45-minute workout in the gym.
Misconceptions
In the 1950s and 1960s, machines with vibrating belts that fit around the waist were believed to shake up fat cells and flush them from the system. WBV is a new technology with nothing in common with vibrating belts. WBV does not cause the user to shake or lose her balance. While some benefit can be derived by simply standing on the platform, the most benefit comes from performing exercises and holding certain positions on the platform.
History
WBV is created by a platform with amplitudes of 2- to 5-mm and frequencies--or Hz--of 5 to 50. The user's movement is barely visible to the eye. You must touch the user, who feels like an active beehive, to feel the vibration which at 50 Hz is contracting and expanding muscle fibers at 50 times per second, according to Dr. Keith DeOrio, a medical doctor who has been using WBV at his Santa Monica Wellness Medical Center since 2002.
The first WBV units and research came from the Russians, who began using vibration therapy on their cosmonauts to quickly compensate for deterioration of muscle and bone while in anti-gravity, according to DeOrio.
In the early 2000s, WBV was introduced to the general fitness audience through celebrities like Madonna and Jane Fonda. Professional teams, including the Oakland Raiders and New York Mets, had been using WBV for years prior to that.
Benefits
WBV does what the Russians intended it to do: build bone density and strengthen muscles faster than conventional weight-training programs. WBV benefits postmenopausal women by restoring both bone and muscle. It also improves muscle strength and balance in the elderly. A few minutes spent on a WBV machine quickly elevates heart rate for a fast warm-up that has shown promise for professional athletes and golfers, according to a March 2010 study published in the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research." Other ongoing clinical studies are focusing on the device's impact on bone density, bone fractures in the elderly, muscle-strength development and the device's affect on people with chronic obstructive lung disease, according to WholeBodyVibrationMachine.com, a web site sponsored by a company the sells the devices. The site provides links to abstracts describing these studies.
Massage
At 20- to 30-Hz, the device gives a gentle massage. With a relatively small platform, users place their shoulders, neck, lower back, thighs and hips comfortably. In just a few minutes users can ease cramped muscles and improve range of movement. Most brands of WBV provide instructions for massage and strength training on their monitors, with preset times and Hz.
Warning
DeOrio does not allow pregnant women, epileptics or people who have synthetic implants, such as pacemakers, to use WBV machines. He also cautions people who have implanted metal plates and screws against using the device. Consult with your personal physician regarding WBV or any new exercise training protocol you are going to adopt.
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