Objectives: It remains unclear whether an increased intrafusal mechanical sensitivity is related to the vibration-induced performance improvement. This investigation aimed to determine the residual acute effect of whole-body vibration and its duration on pre-activation levels, short-latency stretch reflex and performance during drop jumps.
Design: Repeated measures.
Methods: Eleven amateur athletes performed a set of three 45cm-drop jumps before and during a 20min-interval following three randomized conditions: No, Low (30Hz, 5mm) and High vibration (45Hz, 5mm). Ground reaction force peak, Soleus and Vastus Lateralis short latency stretch reflex onset and amplitude were assessed during drop jumps.
Results: A significant effect for time revealed an immediate drop jump height increase after High vibration. A longer contact time also followed High vibration while no changes were detected after Low vibration. Vibration did not affect ground reaction force peak and short latency stretch reflex component.
Conclusions: High vibration constituted an intervention for improving performance although there was no evidence of increased stretch reflex responses.
Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.