Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan | [b] Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Noriaki Maeda, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan. Tel.: +81 82 257 5410; Fax: +81 82 257 5344; E-mail: norimmi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Effects of whole-body-vibration (WBV) training have been claimed to depend on individual characteristics and vibration frequency; however, there have not been any studies focusing on effects of different WBV frequencies on flexibility, jump performance, and dynamic balance ability in the same group. METHODS: Twenty healthy men participants were randomly assigned to three conditions [0 Hz, 25 Hz, 40 Hz] prior to the study. They stood barefoot on the non-dominant leg and performed WBV of 5 sets × 30 seconds. In pre- and post-WBV in each condition, the participants measured ankle dorsiflexion angle; single leg squat jump (SLSJ) height; and dynamic postural stability index (DPSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI), medial-lateral stability index (MLSI), and vertical stability index (VSI). RESULTS: Ankle dorsiflexion angle at 25 and 40 Hz and SLSJ height at 25 Hz significantly increased after WBV (p< 0.01). DPSI and APSI at 25 Hz and 40 Hz significantly decreased, except VSI, which was significant only at 25 Hz (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The acute effects of exposure to WBV on flexibility, jump performance, and dynamic balance ability differ by the selected vibration frequencies.
Keywords: Different whole-body-vibration frequencies, flexibility, physical performance
