Vibration (Vib) can be defined as a mechanical stimulus that may affect the musculoskeletal system totally (Whole Body Vibration, WBV) or locally (Local Body Vibration, LBV) (Cochrane,2011a; Miyashita et al., 1992). Vib(s) are naturally generated during any activity of the body resulting in impacts with the floor, such as walking or running (Cardinale and Wakeling,2005); furthermore, artificial generated Vib(s) are produced by several equipments (i.e. pneumatic drills, vibrating platforms) and in different work conditions (i.e. truck and bus drivers). However, different types and amounts of Vib have been shown to produce significantly different effects on human body's performance (Rittweger, 2010). In this context, the exposure to a low frequency Vib (5-45 Hz) has been shown to elicit an increase in muscular activity (Cochrane, 2011b). It has been suggested that Vib can activate the proprioceptive sensory system, which is based on the excitation of Ia afferent signals situated at the neuromuscular spindle. This, in turn, activates larger motoneurons and leads to the recruitment of previously inactive muscle fibers (Iodice et al., 2010). In addition, the body has a strategy of ''tuning'' its muscle activity to reduce Vib on the soft and muscle tissue (Cardinale and Wakeling, 2005). Indeed a maximally activated muscle can reduce the amount of free Vib, as the tissue "oscillations" are virtually eliminated after a couple of muscle contraction cycles (Delecluse et al., 2003). It is thus possible that the increase in the motor units recruitment activated by a reflex action is a natural response of the body to minimize Vib within the tissues.
The possibility to elicit a greater muscle activity (Rittweger, 2010) followed by an increase in tissue oxygenation (Coza et al., 2011) and muscle blood flow (Herrero et al., 2010) drove the interest on Vib as a po-tential alternative to more traditional training methods (Delecluse et al., 2003).
The use of Vib during exercise has been made possible by the simultaneous development of specific training devices able to transmit Vib to the whole body and/or locally (Cochrane,2011a; Miyashita et al., 1992). These devices fall into two main categories: vibrating platforms, and local Vib devices (Cochrane, 2011a).
Although the results of many studies showed enhancements of several physiological responses due to the exposure to specific exercise protocols endorsing the use of vibrating platforms (de Hoyo Lora et al., 2010; Maikala and Bhambhani, 2008; Rittweger et al., 2002; Sands et al., 2006; 2008; Suhr, 2007), these devices cannot be considered the optimal training devices for enhancing the aerobic endurance performance (Cochrane, 2011a). Therefore, as the aerobic training plays the most important role in enhancing the cardio respiratory fitness (CRF), a critical predictor of health risks (Bianco et al., 2010; Colberg et al., 2010), alternative ways were investigated to apply the superimposed vibratory stimulus to aerobic exercise. However, less than a handful of studies applied Vib during cycling exercise as an innovative approach to training and performance. Sperlich et al., 2009observed an increase in the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the aerobic performance in 12 participants performing a maximal incremental cycling test with Vib compared to normal cycling. The bike's frame was mounted on a vibrating platform but only the crank was connected to the vibrating source, transmitting the Vib to the lower limbs. Suhr et al., 2007, focused on the effects of cycling with and without Vib in normoxic and hypoxic conditions on several angiogenesis parameters. The results showed that both Vib and hypoxia were effective stimuli for the angiogenesis process. The authors concluded that the effects of the increased maximal shear stress at the vessel wall, as result of mechanical Vib, might have represented a significant stimulus for the release of several mediators/inductors of angiogenesis.
The possibility to elicit a greater muscle activity (Rittweger, 2010) followed by an increase in tissue oxygenation (Coza et al., 2011) and muscle blood flow (Herrero et al., 2010) drove the interest on Vib as a po-tential alternative to more traditional training methods (Delecluse et al., 2003).
The use of Vib during exercise has been made possible by the simultaneous development of specific training devices able to transmit Vib to the whole body and/or locally (Cochrane,2011a; Miyashita et al., 1992). These devices fall into two main categories: vibrating platforms, and local Vib devices (Cochrane, 2011a).
Although the results of many studies showed enhancements of several physiological responses due to the exposure to specific exercise protocols endorsing the use of vibrating platforms (de Hoyo Lora et al., 2010; Maikala and Bhambhani, 2008; Rittweger et al., 2002; Sands et al., 2006; 2008; Suhr, 2007), these devices cannot be considered the optimal training devices for enhancing the aerobic endurance performance (Cochrane, 2011a). Therefore, as the aerobic training plays the most important role in enhancing the cardio respiratory fitness (CRF), a critical predictor of health risks (Bianco et al., 2010; Colberg et al., 2010), alternative ways were investigated to apply the superimposed vibratory stimulus to aerobic exercise. However, less than a handful of studies applied Vib during cycling exercise as an innovative approach to training and performance. Sperlich et al., 2009observed an increase in the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the aerobic performance in 12 participants performing a maximal incremental cycling test with Vib compared to normal cycling. The bike's frame was mounted on a vibrating platform but only the crank was connected to the vibrating source, transmitting the Vib to the lower limbs. Suhr et al., 2007, focused on the effects of cycling with and without Vib in normoxic and hypoxic conditions on several angiogenesis parameters. The results showed that both Vib and hypoxia were effective stimuli for the angiogenesis process. The authors concluded that the effects of the increased maximal shear stress at the vessel wall, as result of mechanical Vib, might have represented a significant stimulus for the release of several mediators/inductors of angiogenesis.
To date, only Samuelson et al., 1989 observed that imposed Vib reduces the work capacity during an incremental cycling exercise to exhaustion. Seeing the early stage of the research within this area, a firm conclusion cannot be drawn on the effects of this new concept and a deeper understanding of the phenomenon is still needed. Therefore, the focus of the present study is to monitor the physiological mechanisms related to adding Vib to cycling exercise using a specifically designed vibrating cycloergometer called powerBIKETM. This study aims to assess the impact of "added" Vib to cycling on the physiological parameters relative to the cardiovascular, pulmonary and energetic systems, compared to traditional cycling.
From:
| THE EFFECTS OF VIBRATION DURING MAXIMAL GRADED CYCLING EXERCISE: A PILOT STUDY |
Davide Filingeri1,2,3, Monèm Jemni1, Antonino Bianco2, Edzard Zeinstra3 and Alfonso Jimenez1,5 |
1School of Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, UK; 2Department of Sport Science (DISMOT), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; 3Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, UK; 4Power Plate Research Institute, Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands; 5Institute of Sports, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University of Melbourne, Australia Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2012) 11, 423 - 429 Full text: http://www.jssm.org/vol11/n3/9/v11n3-9text.php |
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