Introduction
Whole Body vibration (WBV) has become a popular training method in recent years. This study investigated the effect of WBV on the length-tension relationship of the ankle dorsi (moving your ankle so that balls of feet raise) and plantarflexors ( moving your ankle in a way that raises the heal of your foot) as measured by a Biodex dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems Inc, Shirley, NY).
Methods
Twenty healthy young adult males participated in this study and were exposed to two treatments. The first treatment (non-vibration) involved passive stretching of the plantarflexors at end range of motion for five 1-min bouts.
The second treatment involved the same passive stretch with superimposed WBV (frequency = 26 Hz) for five 1-min bouts on a rotary vibration plate (Galileo 900; Novotec, Pforzheim, Germany). Voluntary range of motion, peak torque, and corresponding joint angle of the plantar and dorsiflexors were recorded pre and post-treatment.
Within-treatment (before and after) and between-treatment (WBV and non-vibration) outcomes were assessed by repeated measures( Multivariate analysis of variance).
Results
No significant changes in the measures of ankle dorsiflexion were found within or between treatments. No significant changes in the measures of ankle plantarflexion were found after the non-vibration treatment. After WBV, however, there was a significant 7.1 degrees shift in the angle (P = 0.001) of peak plantarflexor torque production corresponding to a longer muscle length.
Conclusion
This study shows that stretched human ankle plantarflexors respond to WBV by generating peak voluntary torque at longer muscle lengths. This has possible benefits for the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular disorders (e.g., stroke) who experience short ankle flexor resting lengths.
Article Contributed by Josh with Hypergravity.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
It would also have to be tested in the future if using shoes or barefeet gives a differing response. I train with no shoes at times when testing machines and it does appear to have a significant effect on muscle activation.
In a studio setting this would not be applicable as health and safety standards would not allow it to be promoted because of high traffic , but in a clinical setting it should be fine.
Hi Lloyd. As an avid user of WBV, I am always looking to find legit research to back the benefits of its usage. Can you tell me what a “rotary platform” is (linear vs. pivotal)? Also, can you define “peak plantarflexor voluntary torque production”? As someone with an exercise phys. / therapy background, the term voluntary torque to describe plantarflexor muscle function is unfamiliar. This seems, yet again, like another study demonstrating relatively ambiguous results.
BTW-I really liked your article on Fat Burning. Very helpful and significantly helped me attach the two concepts (WBV & Fat Burning) together.
The platform was Pivotal ( Galileo ) , as for the other terms they use I don’t know but can guess what the tests measured , in this case the amount of increase in “flex” of the foot from front to back.
If not mistaken this would be recorded by getting the person to lift their toes as high as possible and then point them down as low as possible. Showing an increase/decrease in the plantar (arch of your foot) capability.
Note: It’s not my area of expertise and as I didn’t post the article I have not researched the protocols used . Since the foot is in contact with the actual plate I will suggest a lineal or pivotal platform at almost any Fq would give similar results as the main differences between the two systems are only magnified as it travel up through the body.
Just to clarify in this test they seem to have measured the distance traveled by the heel rather than the toes, but it amount to the same thing.
Can someone please translate this article into Everyday English? Participants were measured after stretching the ankle plantarflexors(gastrocnemius and soleus are the primary ones). To do this they would have to dorsiflex or locked front knee lunge or similar? – someone correct me if not right please. I can’t easily see how this is easily replicated using a wbv platform.
I am surprised that voluntary stretching didn’t produce a result over time.
I think that any standing squat etc on almost any wbv platform would produce a measurable result on plantarflexor muscle action. A major benefit of Vibration Therapy or Training is improved strength, balance, function of the legs, plus improved core stability; all of which contribute to standing and walking ability.
But wait there’s more: People confined to a wheelchair and others unable to easily stand upright or semi-squat can sit in a chair with their feet on a vibration platform or use a semi-squat position with side-rail support on some machines.
Thanks for posting the article Josh. This is the type of information that reinforces my view that vibration may have enormous benefits for the elderly, disabled, etc. for ADLs etc.
JohnW, Thanks you’re right. I also thank Josh for the article as it’s yet another proof that Vibration Therapy/Training gives great results. I just found it a little hard to understand. Will you please explain it in simpler terms for readers. (Maybe I’ve overlooked the good news as it’s what I already know to be true) Thanks
I think you understand dorsiflexion/plantarflexion etc. Di. Your obeservation about how it was performed on a platform is a good one. I don’t know. Maybe Josh could fill us in? The outcome of greater torque at longer muscle lengths is what I found interesting.
Of course, you know Galileo oscillates Di. It says superimposed vibration in the article. How was it superimposed? I advised a company in 03 to get a broad patent to superimpose vibration on about any exercise device (cable, weight stack, etc.). The patent-pending went through in 05 and I was cut out of the picture.
John ….
I wouldn’t worry , I suspect it wont go through as its far to generic , you cant stop someone bolting a vibratory motor to something and in fact 2 companies already sell the add-on motors or exercise equipment that vibrates ( treadmill , cable row etc… )
They would go bankrupt trying to stop people doing it , and lose.
Thats the problem with patents , they are WORTHLESS unless you can actually protect the idea. Bet their lawyers forgot to tell them that.
My understanding of torque as measured by the dynamometer would suggest that they were looking at the abilility to generate force throughout the motion of the ankle (dorsiflexion to plantarflexion…or from a flexed up position to a pointed down position of the foot). This should be a bell curve as the muscles generate less force at the extremes of there length (fully shortened or completely stretched out).
In this study, the force was seemingly better at the most stretched out positions of the ankle for both muscle groups with the wbv training group than the non-wbv group.
There cannot be too many ways to stretch the dorsi and plantar flexors on a platform. In my practice, using a linear platform, I will stretch the calf by hanging the heel off of the edge of the plate with the knee slightly unlocked or having the patient place one foot on a stepstool of equal height in front of the plate and essentially lunge onto the stepstool. As for the dorsiflexors in front of the shin (the “shin splint” muscles) you’d have to use one of these positions with the only difference being that the top of the foot is stretched out(passively pushed downward).
Is this study significant?…certainly when it comes to claims of the benefit of WBV on muscle force production. At the same time, it clearly does not support the benefits of WBV on muscle flexibility. Is this because it’s a pivotal platform vs a linear? Does Josh know he posted something supporting the benefits of a pivotal platform when he produces linear platforms?
Anybody taking WBV seriously could see through the ambiguities of this and other studies and I think we should question the accuracy and methods of the studies instead of saying things like “clearly this supports the benefits of it’s usage” I really wouldn’t call this “clear”
This is the only way it will ever get taken seriously and truly prove the value that we know it has. Please don’t ban me from the site LLoyd
David….
(1) I think you will find the Josh that submitted the article is not the owner but a supplier and is only interested , like myself , in the overall industry and not just one particular machine or method.
(2) The foot may have just been flat on the platform and not necessarily in one of the standard stretching poses you describe. Weight/Pressure placed on the heel and ball of the foot and then zero weight/pressure in fast repetition and the combined rebalancing flex in the ankle ( as in a basic squat ) could produce significant results in the surrounding tissue.
(3) We dont ban people from this site , we just give marketers a hard time.
Hi Lloyd
Hope this is the right place to ask this but seeing the feet/ankles are being discussed here….
Would David’s practice of allowing his patients to hang the heel off the edge of the platform have any place alongside your bullet exercises?
The reason I ask is because I would like to know if there is any exercise to strengthen the foot arch that can be done with wbv and possibly eventually avoid the necessity for arch supports?
Just to update you, am now assisting another friend (the 4th)with back problems using your suggested exercises who was getting no joy with the physio and the results in just 4 days are absolutely amazing.
Regards
Keith
Cannot speak for LLoyd, but I have found that several of the positions on the bullet program have significantly assisted in the rehab of patients with “foot issues” relating to weakness of the foot intrinsics (muscles of the bottom of the foot). These muscles play a major role in the support of the arch. Having that been said, the degree of structural breakdown of the midfoot (joints, ligaments etc.) can be very difficult to correct without orthotics. Arch supports can be quite expensive and no one wants to rely on external supports throughout life, but they can be quite helpful and really help avoid problems “up the chain” (knees, hips, low back etc.)
FYI – The stretches I use for calf and plantar fascia flexibility would theoretically lengthen the tissue at the bottom of the foot and therefore reduce the strength of the arch.
Short answer….
Yes it is a good stretch , BUT , the shearing pressure placed on the Meniscus ( cartilage in the knee ) warrants its exclusion in a standard program.
It is just too easy to get it wrong. In my opinion only a “one on one” physio type setting would be safe with a very good instructor and only for a limited time.
If someone wanted to do that particular stretch , sitting in front of the unit with the ball on the foot on the unit should suffice.
Note; You should not underestimate what the standard program is designed to do . It is deceptively simplistic .
Well put Lloyd. For the record, for most of the patients/clients that I treat/train, I utilize your prescribed programs…and with excellent results! A little experimentation however, has proven to provide some amazing therapeutic benefits.
David…
I have designed 25 units with some just for therapy and the prorams to match. But at present I am trying to teach the world how to get the basics right first.
Thank you both. The question was posed to see if there was a way to avoid future or looming foot problems or weaknesses. Can one assume there will be a gradual weakening of the foot structure over time without specific targetted or general exercising?
Its good to hear that the bullet exercises alone do work on the feet in a remedial as well as preventative way.
The answer differs from person to person as the degree of midfoot dysfunction can range from severe to mild. How old are you? I am assuming you are flat-footed? How severe?
No,I am not flat footed but I do get the odd cracking sound and the sensation of things moving around in the feet in the big toe/ball of the foot area now and again when walking.It’s difficult to assess but it does seem as if the arches are lower than they were say 20 years ago. I’ve played lots of sport over the years without problems but with the exception of regular wbv training am pretty sedentary now. I follow Lloyds Bullet program faithfully and I’ve seen my own physical improvement as well as what it does for back problems. Just wanted to know if there was any wbv viagra for the arches
Sounds like you are doing well overall…no real discomfort? Stick with the program and just keep monitoring your feet for noticeable changes. Arch supports can be quite helpful should you see things getting worse. WBV Viagra huh….maybe you just launched a new ad campaign
.
Keith, you’ve got me worried now [quote] Just wanted to know if there was any wbv viagra for the arches [end quote]
Don’t you realise that Vibration Training is a “viagra”
You’ve already got the answer to becoming less sedentary
You’re right Di, I Stand corrected!
Stand…get it ?
Getting back to that study – what is the mechanism responsible for the increased force at a greater muscle length? Could it be “a disinhibiton of the disinhibiting” effect of the Golgi tendon organs(GTO)? Zatsiorsky and Kraemer mention this in their book Science and Practice of Strength Training about vibration. Often muscle spindles are mentioned as they are stretch receptors but what about the GTO which are force receptors? Also, how long does this increase in force last post vibration treatment? Is it a few minutes, an hour, etc? Researchers need to look at this more. It appears there is a post- activation potentiation with vibration from other studies – but how long does it last?
John….
Here is a clue. Its whats been turned “off” is the key.
So, you’re saying it is the turning off or pushing back the point at which the GTO responds. Is that right, Lloyd?
Yes John , I will be doing an article on this soon to explain why this happens .
I’ll look forward to the article. Lloyd, you are “an educator.”
There’s an interesting study by Adams et al. in the Dec 08 JSCR showing power to be enhanced from 1-5 min post vibration treatment. The study looked at different combinations of frequencies, amplitudes, etc. Thus, according to this study, there is a post-activation potentiation (PAP) that last 1-5 min after vibration. The abstract can be read at http://www.nlm.nih.gov, click on PubMed, and type in vibration exercise as search terms. Any comments?
A quick answer to a very complicated topic ……
Quite simply the Fight or Flight triggers take time to settle down.
These “triggers” are multi layered and interact . They are Binary in nature and follow a code , turning one system off and another on to give a directional effect.
These codes change as fast as a picture can change on the T.V. to give an instant increase in power/speed/senses etc.., input and output , but they change back in a particular order in a cascading effect. This is why a delayed output response is recorded.
I will be detailing these codes more in the future and that will hopefully answer questions or give ideas to researchers .
Hint: I have also learnt that not all vibration completes the binary effect and the body is far smarter than I originally thought, it simply cant be tricked easily into opening the flood gates .
I look forward to your detailing of these codes and articles. That’s interesting what you said about not all vibration completing the effect and how the body isn’t easily tricked.
“Fitness efficacy of vibratory exercise compared to walking in postmenopausal women”
Another interesting study (link below). Definately futher support for vibration training/therapy on the older population. Look at the frequency though….wonder what results would look like if they were utilizing the 35-45 hz range.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19434420?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Yes, that’s another exciting study. The abstract didn’t mention which vibration platform they used. 12.6 Hz seems like a very low fq. I wonder why they used a fq this low?