University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA.

Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium.

University of Barcelona, Spain

Oregon State University in Corvalli, USA.

University of Frankfurt, Germany

University of Hong Kong, China.

Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Zentrum für Muskel- und Knochenforschung, Berlin, Germany

University of Miami, USA.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.

University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.

Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

University of Cologne, Germany.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.

Loma Linda University, USA

The effect of vibration results in what scientific literature calls 'Tonic Vibration Reflex' or 'TVR'. That is a repeated myotatic reflex or stretch reflex. This means that the vibrated muscle has to work very hard, while the patient using WBV machine does nothing other than balance on the platform. The effect per pulsation is like that of the knee jerk reflex. This muscle activity can be measured by use of electromyography (EMG). For example, in a one repetition maximum effort, the muscle(s) involved are activated 100% voluntarily. However with vibration training on WBV machine, the muscles work at 200% to 300% of this IRM activation. This is an ideal way to train, especially when the muscle does not function properly, for example with weakened muscles in the elderly, or after injuries.

The effect on the muscles is reflexively activated via the nervous system. With vibration training, it seems as if pulsations awaken the nerve tract, which could explain the positive effects of vibration training in partial paralysis. In fact, good results have been reported in the experimental treatment of cerebral palsy and Parkinson's patients.

Research shows that after vibration training (just one session!), there is a high excretion of Testosterone and Growth Hormone. There is also a drop in the stress hormone cortisol. This combination has favorable effects on muscle protein synthesis. Effect of vibration training on Hormones:

Testosterone: + 7%

Human Growth Hormone: + 460%

Cortisol: - 32%

(Source: Bosco et al 2000)

Increases in Testosterone and Growth Hormone are important in the functioning of both body and mind. Many complaints ofthe elderly can be traced to a decrease in these hormones. It is >essentially these hormones, together with the female hormone estrogen, which are used to combat geriatric complaints so that it is possible to still enjoy life and vitality even when one has reached old age.

Bone decalcification (osteoporosis) is one of the biggest health problems especially in the elderly and women population. Many elderly people break their bones more easily when they fall because of bone decalcification; the hip is the most notorious in this respect. The onset of osteoporosis is partly due to a lack of movement, which causes muscles to gradually weaken, the circulation to diminish and the bones to be inadequately used. In addition, as a result of the ageing process, the body produces less hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and growth hormone. Yet it is exactly these hormones which play such an important role in the maintenance of strong bones.

The advice usually given to sufferers of this disease is to take more exercise, but that is difficult when muscles are weak, particularly in the legs. WBV machine offers a good alternative to vigorous impact exercise: through vibration the muscles automatically become stronger and regain their tone. The circulation improves because the blood vessels in the legs are wide open due to the vibration. At the same time, the pulsation gives a direct stimulus to bone tissue, which in turn stimulates the production of new bone tissue.

Scientific research shows that vibration training can help against osteoporosis. Recent findings show that even after only one vibration treatment, there is an increase in the hormone testosterone and growth hormone, which are so essential for strong bones.

Parkinson's disease is an example of a deficiency in dopamine, which is the reason that L-Dopa is given as medicine. It is also recognized that serotonin plays a role in our mood, or frame of mind. A shortage of serotonin in the brain can lead to depression, which is the reason that Prozac is given as a medicine in order to increase the serotonin content in the brain. From research, it appears that vibration training also influences the neurotransmitters and the way in which they work. Vibration training increases the serotonin content in the brain, which could possibly explain why one feels so well after vibration training.

The effect of vibration training on the blood vessels is clear to see and to feel. After training, one often sees that the skin of the lower leg is colored pink. This is a sign that the blood vessels in that area are wide open. It also explains the feeling which many describe as: coming home after a snowball fight with your bare hands, and then putting your hands in a bucket of warm water. A tingling feeling which indicates that your blood vessels are wide open. In Germany, the effect of vibration training is used as therapy for a disturbed peripheral circulation, particularly in the lower legs, such as in chronic venous insufficiency.

It is already recognized that intermittent pressure stimulates optimal functioning of the cartilage. This cause the synovial fluid, or synovia, to be repeatedly pumped between the cartilage, just like a sponge which is constantly squeezed under water. This intermittent pressure maintains and improves cartilage function.

Research team of Children Hospital at University of Cologne, Germany conducted a study of WBV effects on several children ages 5 to 15 with various neuromuscular disorders and found out clear beneficial effect and improvement in all participants:

"Whole Body Vibration (WBV) has been recently introduced to improve impaired biomechanical function of the musculoskeletal system in adults. The therapeutic principle is based on the activation of proprioreceptive spinal circuits. These reflexes can be induced by upright standing on a vibrating platform. Because reflexes are related to the time-differential activation of spindles in muscles and tendons, the induction of the reflective muscular answer depends on forces (acceleration of gravity x body mass) over time applied to the muscular system by vibration. The frequency of vibration characterizes the type of activated spinal reflective answer. Therefore, lower frequencies decrease the muscular tonus in contrast to higher frequencies increasing the muscular tonus. The application of vibrations increased bone formation and the metabolism in skeletal muscles and skin. Interestingly, WBV is characterized to prevent the loss of bone and muscle mass in immobilized adults. Moreover, postmenopausal women might profit from WBV regarding their muscular function. In detail, WBV improves inter- and intramuscular co-ordination over induction of high-frequent muscular contractions of agonists and antagonists in the neuromuscular system. This effect mainly improves power in motor-impaired individuals. Ward et al. applied high-frequent vibration therapy with low amplitude to improve trabecular bone density in children affected with neuromuscular diseases. Negative side effects were not reported after 6 months of intensive therapy."

Research team from Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany performed a similar study on patients with Parkinson's disease and came to the same conclusion - Whole Body Vibration has tremendous positive effect on the patients with Parkinson's.