Affiliations: [a] Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, Sichuan Sports College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China | [b] Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Shuang Zhang, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, 32# W. Sec 2, 1st Ring Rd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. E-mail: shuangzhang_spph@163.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The impact of the current most effective vibration frequency on the balance ability of the elderly needs further verification. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) at three different frequencies on the balance ability of older women. METHODS: Ninety-three older women were randomly divided into low frequency (15 Hz), intermediate frequency (30 Hz), high-frequency (45 Hz), and control groups. The subjects in the vibration group underwent WBVT of the same amplitude twice a week for approximately 15 min per session. RESULTS: The speed of movement of the centre of pressure in the left and right directions with eyes closed was 7.9% lower in the static balance ability test in the intermediate frequency group after 36 weeks (P< 0.05). In the high frequency group, after WBVT, the total length of centre of pressure movement and speed of centre of pressure movement in the left and right directions were 9.9% and 8.7% lower, respectively, in the dynamic balance test (P< 0.05), and the speed of closed eye movement in the left and right directions was 12.5% lower in the static balance test (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: WBVT at 30 and 45 Hz improved static balance in the right and left directions when older women had their eyes closed. WBVT at 45 Hz improved dynamic balance in the right and left directions in older women, and WBVT did not improve static balance in older women when their eyes were open.
Keywords: Whole-body vibration training, different frequencies, older women, balance
