Vibration-related extrusion of capillary blood from the calf musculature depends upon directions of vibration of the leg and of the gravity vector

Effects of whole-body vibration or resistive-vibration exercise on blood clotting and related biomarkers: a systematic review

Whole-body vibration (WBV) and resistive vibration exercise (RVE) are utilized as countermeasures against bone loss, muscle wasting, and physical deconditioning. The safety of the interventions, in terms of the risk of inducing undesired blood clotting and venous thrombosis, is not clear. We therefore performed the present systematic review of the available scientific literature on the issue. The review was conducted following the guidelines by the Space Biomedicine Systematic Review Group, based on Cochrane review guidelines. The relevant context or environment of the studies was "ground-based environment"; space analogs or diseased conditions were not included. The search retrieved 801 studies; 77 articles were selected for further consideration after an initial screening. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. The main variables related to blood markers involved angiogenic and endothelial factors, fibrinolysis and coagulation markers, cytokine levels, inflammatory and plasma oxidative stress markers. Functional and hemodynamic markers involved blood pressure measurements, systemic vascular resistance, blood flow and microvascular and endothelial functions. The available evidence suggests neutral or potentially positive effects of short- and long-term interventions with WBV and RVE on variables related to blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, inflammatory status, oxidative stress, cardiovascular, microvascular and endothelial functions. No significant warning signs towards an increased risk of undesired clotting and venous thrombosis were identified. If confirmed by further studies, WBV and RVE could be part of the countermeasures aimed at preventing or attenuating the muscular and cardiovascular deconditioning associated with spaceflights, permanence on planetary habitats and ground-based simulations of microgravity.

Effect of Three-Week Vibrotherapy on Selected Skin Parameters of Thighs and Buttocks in Women with Cellulite

Background: Cellulite (gynoid lipodystrophy, panniculopathy) affects approximately 85% of women and is related to genetic and hormonal factors, diet, and low physical activity. Vibrotherapy is a promising method of physical therapy to help fight cellulite that has not been studied exhaustively yet. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy women (age: 19–43 years) with cellulite of at least grade I on the Nurnberg–Muller scale were recruited. The participants were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving a series of 15 vibration treatments in a sitting or lying position for 30 or 60 min. Before and after the first and last treatment, selected skin parameters were measured with the use of Courage and Khazaka equipment. Results: Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of thighs and buttocks differed significantly at all time points. Post hoc tests showed that each treatment caused a decrease in TEWL but no long-term effect was observed. For skin pH, a significant difference was observed between the measurements I and IV. The lying position caused a greater reduction in the value of the acid–base balance. Conclusions: A series of vibration treatments improved the hydration and pH of the skin. The treatments limited TEWL; however, no long-term effect was observed.

Effect of local vibrotherapy in sitting or lying position in two time protocols on the cellulite grade and change of body circumferences in women with cellulite

BACKGROUND

Vibrotherapy is becoming a new tool which can help to improve aesthetic appearance. One of its basic uses in cosmetology is eliminating cellulite changes.

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a 3-week series of local vibrotherapy in two positions and in two time protocols on selected body circumferences, WHR, WHtR and BAI, and the grade of cellulite.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Volunteers underwent vibration treatments in a lying or sitting position for 30 or 60 minutes a day, for 3 weeks. Waist, hip, thigh and calf circumferences were measured before and after the first, and before and after the last treatment. The WHR, WHtR and BAI indicators were calculated. The grade of cellulite was assessed with use of the Nürnberger-Müller scale. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed to assess the impact of individual parameters.

RESULTS

After a series of treatments, a significant decrease in the grade of cellulite was noted, regardless of the treatment time or position. The circumferences of the thighs and hips didn't change. Both, the first and the last treatment allowed for change the calf circumference. The applied series of treatments allowed for lower the waist circumference also for change the WHR and WHtR indicators.

CONCLUSION

A series of vibration interventions reduced cellulite symptoms without affecting the hip and thigh circumferences. The treatment positions can be adjusted to the individual needs of the client and time of single treatment can be minimized to 30 min a day.

Effect of Multi-Frequency Whole-Body Vibration on Muscle Activation, Metabolic Cost and Regional Tissue Oxygenation

Prolonged immobilization from a critical illness can result in significant muscle atrophy. Whole-body vibration (WBV) could potentially attenuate the issue of muscle atrophy; however, there exists no device that could potentially provide WBV in supine position that is suitable for critically ill patients. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop a new wearable suit, called therapeutic vibration device (TVD), that can provide WBV in supine position and test its effects on physiologic markers of physical activity including muscle activation, oxygen consumption (VO₂), and regional hemoglobin oxygen saturation (rSO₂). The prototype TVD delivered multi-frequency WBV axially to 19 healthy participants in supine position for 10 minutes simultaneously at 25 Hz/4.2 g_rms on the feet and 15 Hz/0.7 g_rms on the shoulders. Muscle activation was recorded by electromyography (EMG), VO₂ was measured by indirect calorimetry and rSO₂ was recorded by near-infrared spectroscopy. Recordings were collected from each participant from multiple body locations, on three separate days, at baseline and during the intervention. Acceleration was also recorded to gain insight into transmissibility and coherence. Repeated-measures ANOVA using Bonferroni correction revealed that the muscle activity significantly increased by 4% - 62% (p < 0.05), VO₂ improved by 22.3% (p < 0.05) and rSO₂ increased by 1.4% - 4.5% (p < 0.05) compared to baseline. WBV provided by the TVD is capable of producing physiologic responses consistent with mild physical activity. Such effects could potentially be valuable as an adjunct to physical therapy for early mobilization to prevent atrophy occurring from prolonged immobilization.