Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and possible effects of whole-body
vibration (WBV) training on muscle strength and gait performance in people with
late effects of polio. DESIGN: A case-controlled pilot study with assessments
before and after training. SETTING: A university hospital rehabilitation
department. PARTICIPANTS: People (N=5; 3 men, 2 women; mean age, 64+/-6.7y;
range, 55-71y) with clinically and electrophysiologically verified late effects
of polio. INTERVENTIONS: All participants underwent 10 sessions of supervised WBV
training (standing with knees flexed 40 degrees -55 degrees up to 60 seconds per
repetition and 10 repetitions per session twice weekly for 5 weeks). MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Isokinetic and isometric knee muscle strength (dynamometer), and gait
performance (Timed Up & Go, Comfortable Gait Speed, Fast Gait Speed, and
six-minute walk tests). RESULTS: All participants completed the 5 weeks of WBV
training, with no discernible discomfort. No significant changes in knee muscle
strength or gait performance were found after the WBV training period.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study did not show any significant improvements in knee
muscle strength and gait performance following a standard protocol of WBV
training. Thus, the results do not lend support to WBV training for people with
late effects of polio.

Langue : ANGLAIS