[Effect of an 8-week vibration training program in the elderly]

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity has been shown to maintain or improve autonomy in the elderly. It has also been demonstrated that vibration exercise in adults achieves rapid benefits. This study analyses the effects of an 8-week program of reduced volume vibration training on autonomy and strength in a group of elderly subjects.

Material and methods: The 23 participants (18 women and 5 men, aged between 70 and 92 years, mean age 81.2 years) underwent a training program of five 30-second series of mechanical vibrations at 25 Hz and 2 mm wavelength three times a week for eight weeks. The isometric strength of the extensor muscles of the knee was assessed with a MuscleLab(®) gauge, and autonomy was tested with the "Expanded-Timed-Get-Up-and-Go" (ETGUG) test, both before and immediately after the eight weeks of the program and then eight weeks afterwards.

Results: Significant differences were detected between the three time points in strength, and also in total time taken to complete the ETGUG and the various sections of the test, with the exception of the time taken to stand up and to turn. The vibration training program significantly improved the time taken to complete the ETGUG and strength after eight weeks of training. However, these benefits only endured for walking speed, not for strength.

Discussion: The results of the ETGUG test revealed significant changes overall. However, in two sections (standing up and turning) the differences were not significant, probably because the results do not depend exclusively on participants' physical capacity but are also related to their coordination skills.

Conclusions: Eight weeks of reduced volume vibration training in the elderly improved autonomy, but not isometric strength.