Can Vibration Training Damage My Brain?

As anyone in this industry will tell you, this is one of those questions that makes you put your head in your hands and cry when asked. I sometimes wonder if the person is pulling my leg, but to be fair some people cannot correlate everyday experiences into new …

How to Read a Research Article: Part III

This is the third part in a series about understanding research articles. See Part I here.

Method(s)
The method section of the research report should clearly explain how the study was conducted. However, for the layperson, this will be the most difficult section to read. The methods section may be divided into subsequent sub-headers, such as: participants (subjects), equipment, …

How to Read a Research Article: Part II

This is the second part in a series about understanding research articles. See Part I here.

What is a Research Article?
A research article is one that is published by a peer-reviewed, academic journal. An academic journal is a periodical where researchers publish their work.

Most academic journals are peer-reviewed, meaning that a research article is reviewed by other …

How to Read a Research Article: Part I

This is the first part of a Guide to Reading Research Articles.

Research articles can be very difficult to read. Reading research is a skill that takes quite some time to be proficient at. This is why many people will read the abstract or conclusions of a study apply them with a broad brush, which is inherently invalid.

When …

Debunking Whole Body Vibration

Personal Trainer Sal Marinello does a (second) thorough debunking of vibration training machines.

In the May 2007 edition of the (NSCA) Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, there are four studies that deal with the effects of WBV and the results of these studies do little to further the claims of WBVers that this mode of training is suitable for

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SoloFlex: Weight Loss Claims Untrue

US independent consumer testing magazine Consumer Reports took the SoloFlex for a test drive and was not impressed.

Take a pass. There was no significant increase in calories burned when standing on the vibrating board. Most users who did more than stand said the WBV didn’t enhance their workout. Some panelists said the board was too

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Increasing Bone Mass Density

Here are the findings from a recent detailed 8 month study on a pivotal machine (Gallileo 2000).

1. The study found significantly positive results for Bone Mass Density increase in post menopausal women using pivotal as compared to lineal machines. (4% increase at the hip;other 8 month studies with lineal machines with variety of protocols had given no

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Research: Explosive Strength and Sprint Running

A new study has been published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (reference).

The study looked at 6 weeks of Whole Body Vibration training and it’s impact on sprint performance and explosive strength.

Conclusions:

WBV training period of 6 wk, through the muscle contractions it provokes, produced significant positive changes is selected kinematical characteristics of sprint running (step length, step

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