Good Vibrations. Part II
In my previous blog I introduced you to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training and the neural mechanisms that make it work. I also promised to introduce new ways for you to incorporate this modality into your routine. One way WBV training may be able to help liven up your routine deals with flexibility.
According to a study done by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training may increase the range of motion (ROM) in the hamstrings, when it is combined with a stretching program. The study was done on a group of 19 undergraduate students consisting of 12 women and 7 men. Each person’s hamstring ROM was tested prior to beginning training. This was done to ensure that each person had approximately the same ROM in their hamstrings to start.
Upon completion of the pretest, the participants were separated into a WBV group and a control group. Both groups performed the same warmup and stretching protocol; but prior to stretching, the WBV group stood on a vibration platform for 30 seconds in a squat position with their knees bent to 90 degrees.
The stretching sessions were performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Each subject’s hamstring ROM was tested after every training session. After four weeks of training the results were compared.
Significant increases in ROM were seen in the WBV group after only a week, as compared to the control group which took two weeks to show any significant improvement. The WBV group also showed improvements in ROM in weeks 1-3. In contrast the control group only showed improvements in week two.
So, if you are looking for a way to optimize the time you spend stretching, or you need to increase your ROM in a short amount of time, WBV training maybe able to help you achieve those goals.
