Optimal whole-body vibration settings for muscle strength and power enhancement in human knee extensors

Abstract

This study compared the effects of 6-week whole-body vibration (WBV) training programs with different frequency and peak-to-peak displacement settings on knee extensor muscle strength and power. The underlying mechanisms of the expected gains were also investigated. Thirty-two physically active male subjects were randomly assigned to a high-frequency/high peak-to-peak displacement group (HH; n=12), a low-frequency/low peak-to-peak displacement group (LL; n=10) or a sham training group (SHAM; n=10). Maximal voluntary isometric, concentric and eccentric torque of the knee extensors, maximal voluntary isometric torque of the knee flexors, jump performance, voluntary muscle activation, and contractile properties of the knee extensors were assessed before and after the training period. Significant improvement in knee extensor eccentric voluntary torque (P<0.01), knee flexor isometric voluntary torque (P<0.05), and jump performance (P<0.05) was observed only for HH group. Regardless of the group, knee extensor muscle contractile properties (P<0.05) were enhanced. No modification was observed for voluntary muscle activation or electrical activity of agonist and antagonist muscles. We concluded that high-frequency/high peak-to-peak displacement was the most effective vibration setting to enhance knee extensor muscle strength and jump performance during a 6-week WBV training program and that these improvements were not mediated by central neural adaptations.