Balance
About 30% of people over the age of 65 lose their balance and suffer a fall each year. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is an effective way to maintain or enhance skeletal mass in low-mobility individuals without the risks associated with high-impact exercise.
Whole body Vibration stimulates the primary endings of the muscle spindles, activating alpha-motor neurons resulting in muscle contractions. Studies (see research below) have shown that WBV is associated with increases in lower limb muscle strength.
Often, as an individual realizes that they are out of balance and about to fall, the mind activates the responses to prevent the fall but the individual does not have the muscle strength in their lower limbs to regain their balance.
WBV delivers mechanical loading to the skeleton, which increases bone mass and improves postural balance by strengthening skeletal muscles. Balance and gait are improved by enhanced muscle control effected by routine whole body vibration exercise. Strengthening skeletal muscles has a direct effect on coordination and balance.
Research Articles on Balance & Whole Body Vibration
- Balance Training and Exercise in Geriatric Patients
- Controlled Whole Body Vibrations Improve Health Related Quality Of Life In Elderly Patients
- Effect of 4-month vertical whole body vibration on performance and balance
- Effect of whole-body vibration exercise and muscle strengthening, balance, and walking
- Effects of whole body vibration training on postural control in older individuals
- The Feasibility Of Whole Body Vibration and its influence on muscle performance, balance and mobility
- Vibration therapy improves walk, balance in elderly
- Whole-Body Vibration Exercise For Elderly People