The effects of vibration training on physical fitness of trained and untrained student girls

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration training on physical fitness
of trained and untrained student girls. Methods: 40 volunteers (20 trained and 20 untrained, age,
21.62±1.53yr; height, 165.33±5.54 cm; BMI, 21.33±1.42 kg/m2; body mass, 56.36±5.55 Kg)
participated in the study. Trained and untrained subjects were randomly assigned to either the
vibration group (n=10) or control group (n=10). The vibration-intervention consisted of a 3-week
whole body vibration training, 3 times a week, while sessions started with five sets of 1 min (with 1
min rest) and increased to eight sets. The frequency and amplitude were set at 40 Hz of 6 mm with
isometric squatting (knee 110°) being performed. Three performance tests (extension strength of
lower extremities with a vertical leg press, an endurance test a test for flexibility) were performed at
the beginning and after 3 weeks of training. All data were analyzed by using ANOVA, paired
student’s t- test and unpaired t-test. Results: Our results showed a significant effect of 3 weeks of
vibration training on strength of lower extremities (P=0.006, P=0.001 for trained and untrained
subjects, respectively), endurance of lower extremities (P=0.03, P=0.02) and flexibility (P=0.02,
P=0.02) in trained and untrained groups. No significant changes were found for all variables in both
control groups. Conclusions: It could be concluded that whole-body vibration is a suitable training
method to improve strength, endurance and flexibility in a young girl athletes and non-athletes.