i have no idea, reading up on vibrations is on the list, but i curently have no available time, i was just commenting on the studies cited by griffith in his book.
edit:
ok did some searching, there are no direct “powerplate” kind of vibration studies, but several that deal with whole body vibration as a result of work related exposure.
And they aint good especially for the low back. Look at this:
Health risks from occupational exposures to mechanical vibration.
Health effects of occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) and whole-body vibration (WBV) are reviewed. Excessive exposure to HTV from powered processes or tools is associated with an increased occurrence of symptoms and signs of disorders in the vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal systems of the upper limbs. This complex set of disorders is called hand-arm vibration syndrome. Long-term occupational exposure to intense WBV is associated with an increased risk for disorders of the lumbar spine and the connected nervous system. With a lower probability, the neck-shoulder, the gastrointestinal system, the female reproductive organs, the peripheral veins, and the cochleo-vestibular system are also assumed to be affected by WBV. However, there is weak epidemiological support for WBV-induced disorders of organ systems other than the lower back. In addition to the health effects of human vibration, this review provides information on methods for the protection and health surveillance of vibration-exposed workers according to the European Directive 2002/44/EC on mechanical vibration.
there are alot of studies like this under the search “body vibration health effects” in pubmed.
though, they dont cite excact frequency, energy absorbtion, vibration wave distribution etc so its hard if not imposible to drow conclutions. Though a “better safe than sorry” route would be to use vibration training sporadicaly, at short bursts and difinately not seated
Well if you are doing it seated then you are a fool! Everyone wanting to use vibration should read Henk’s book on vibration and some of bosco’s studies.
Titel : Vibratietraining en –therapie, voor fitness en gezondheid
Auteur : Henk Kraaijenhof
ISBN : 9038913265
Before citing any study you must put it in context. Those studies were done for industrial settings where machinery can produce frequencies that affect internal organs and cause other health problems over a long period of time. The vibrations elicited by WBV machines are controlled electronically by microcontrollers with feedback to prevent unwanted frequencies. Bosco and other researchers WOULD NEVER knowingly design a machine that could cause long term damage. Consider the legal implications.
You are overstating the safety implications. Considering that it is well documented that the frequency range used by WBV do not cause the damage that you are refering to. The “work related” vibrations 1-20Hz are DIFFERENT from 25Hz-50Hz for WBV. You can’t draw conclusions because the studies do not relate to WBV. As a matter of fact WBVs are used as a treatment for lower back problems…
I used local muscular vibration to help with my sciatica and it worked a mirical. All i did was use it on my glutes and lower back at 22Hz in 4 days it was gone.
Some time ago you discussed it would be more efficient if an athlete had an emg test performed in order to utilize WBV effectively. I recently found a doctor who would perform this test without charging me a mint. Before I schedule the appointment, he wanted to know a few things. (forgive me if I botch what he asked) The EMG he has only records nuero reaction, (it uses pads vs. needles) not muscular contraction. What is it that should be recorded? Contraction of the hamstring? If musclular contraction is not recorded but rather the neuro reaction, how can that be calibrated to give me useful data for the vibration platform? What kind of measurement should he provide that I could use? For example, would the speed be provided in in Hz? or another type of measurement? Thanks for your help in this
Test the vastus medialis in frequencies from 20hz to 50hz (or is it 60 i can’t remmber) in 5hz increments. Look for the highest readings. 1/2-1/4 squat position, jaw should be relaxed, and no bluring of vision or of the voice.
If you are looking for more “trivia” then read my previous posts on WBV. I’m sure that it will bring you up to scratch on the safety implications. Do a search for Bosco and Cardinale to get more “trivia” on WBV and in particular its use for treating lower back problems.
I took an international medal-winning female weightlifter down to our local physiotherapist who has imported some WBV platforms.
The physio did some basic ROM tests and the lifter apologised for poor results because her back was so tight and sore. She probably had glute/ham and quad issues as well for all I know, but she couldn’t get her hands much past her knees in a simple bend forward.
After a couple of 30sec blasts on the platform, she could touch the floor and then after her second lifting session a few hours later that evening, she told me she lifted very close to her best in snatch. She was amazed (but apparently not so amazed that she ever bothered to return for another “workout” on the platform - )
QUESTION: It is reported in a couple of the Bosco studies I read long ago that the WBV STRENGTHENS bones.
But if an athlete already has a chronic stress fracture (a basketballer actually - 6ft 5in female international) would vibration work wreck her or help her.? At the moment she has been playing through the pain, icing, getting medical backup etc, but nothing in the way of a serious rehab that I can see working well for her.
But I also know that ultrasound equipment can be used to diagnose a stress fracture because apparently you go through the roof if scanned.
TC, anyone? I’m interested in the strengthening/healing potential here. thanks
I don’t know for sure but contraindications include: hernia, disc prolaps, spondylolysis, acute inflammations/infections, metal implants etc. So I think it would probably be safest not to use it. I guess you need to find someone who uses it for rehab or email nemesis europe as they seem to know pretty much everything about WBV.
A purring cat is not necessarily a happy one; many species - including cheetahs and some lions - also purr when wounded or anxious. Some researchers speculate that this lovely rumble may serve a function: to heal fractures and strengthen bones. In an as yet unpublished study from the Fauna Communications Research Institute in Hillsborough, N.C., investigators determined that the frequency at which many cats purr, between 27 and 44 hertz for house cats, matches the frequency that seems to help human bones strengthen and grow. If correct, the theory may explain why cats heal so quickly after injury.
Thanks for posting - the idea is satisfying. I hope it’s correct.
I think like most things, whether it’s a cure or a disaster will come down to a matter of degree: how much for how long is enough rather than too much.
Very interesting. That frequency range also matches what is typically found in the literature to decrease muscle tone with superficial vibration methods. Obviously not the same as with WBV.
- )