Psychological Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training in Frail Older Adults: An Open, Randomized Control Trial

A systematic review of fall prevention interventions in frail older adults

Frail older adults are vulnerable to falls. This review aimed to identify the characteristics of fall prevention interventions and assess their effects on fall-related outcomes in the population. Six databases were searched using keywords such as frailty, older adults, fall prevention or management, and education. Twelve studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. Most of the included studies had physical exercise as the primary component of fall prevention interventions for frail older adults. Meta-analysis revealed that these interventions significantly reduced the fear of falling and improved physical performance. Additionally, significant improvements were observed in frailty scores, 30-Chair Stand test, hand grip strength, knee extension strength, and depression. These findings show that fall prevention interventions are effective in improving both the physical and psychological status of frail older adults.

Acute Effects of a Single Whole-Body Vibration Session on Mobility and Postural Control in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Whole-body vibration is a modality of exercise that uses high-frequency mechanical stimuli to enhance motor functions. Previous studies have demonstrated benefits of whole-body vibration in older adults. However, prolonged use of this modality of exercise may be detrimental to certain conditions. Objectives: to verify the acute effects of a single whole-body vibration session on mobility and postural control in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: In this two-arm, single-blind clinical trial, fifty-two participants were randomly allocated to either the experimental (subject to a single whole-body vibration session with a vibration amplitude of 2 mm and a frequency of 40 Hz) or placebo group. The exercise sessions were conducted using a tri-planar vibration platform. The tri-plane plates were adjusted to vibrate up and down, side to side, and front to back. The assessments included mobility and postural control tests. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to examine the main effect of group (experimental vs. placebo), time (baseline vs. after the intervention), and group × time interaction effect. Significance was set at 5%. Results: Compared with the placebo group, participants who underwent whole-body vibration showed positive outcomes in terms of mobility (p = 0.014, effect size: 0.115). Contrastingly, no significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of postural control (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Benefits of a single whole-body vibration session were observed on mobility. Using whole-body vibration to improve postural control may require additional sessions. Contraindications typical of aging should be taken into account.

EFFECTS OF VIBRATION TRAINING ON BALANCE STABILITY IN LONG JUMPERS

ABSTRACT Introduction Vibration training refers to the introduction of vibration methods into the daily training of athletes for body stimulation. In this way, coaches improve athletes’ strength, flexibility, and balance. Athletes can use vibration to stimulate neuromuscular activation. This allows more active units to be concentrated in the muscular contraction. In this way, the athlete’s muscular strength can be increased. Objective This study aimed to analyze the relationship between vibration training and the balance ability of long jumpers. Methods This paper selects several long jumpers as research subjects. The effects of vibration exercises at different frequencies on athletes’ stability are discussed, employing experimental comparison. In this context, statistical calculations are performed on the experimental results. Results There was no difference in balance ability between the vibration and general training groups before training (P>0.05). The athletes in the vibration training group showed more significant improvement in balance after a training period than the general training group. There were significant differences in the data between the two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Vibration strength training can effectively improve the balance ability of jumpers. Athletes should increase the frequency of vibration training in their daily training. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.