Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body
vibration training with different frequencies on the balance and flexibility of
the healthy elderly.
DESIGN: The participants were recruited from hospital
volunteers and the community; all of them were healthy subjects, all over 65
years of age. The study involved three randomized groups in a parallel and
single-blind design. The main outcome variables included the limits of stability
test and the sit and reach test, which were measured at pre-training, Month 1
(Mid-training), Month 3 (Post-training), and Month 6 (Follow-up). RESULTS: A
total of 45 subjects, with a mean age of 69.6 +/- 3.9 years, were randomly
divided into three groups. There was significant interaction in the performance
of the limits of stability and sit and reach tests in the different groups at the
four different time points (F = 25.218, P < 0.001, F = 12.235, P < 0.001,
respectively). There was a significant difference in balance performance between
the vibration groups at the frequencies of 20 Hz and 40 Hz and the control group
at Month 1, Month 3, and Month 6 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Whole-body vibration
training at 20 Hz has significant benefit to the balance and flexibility of the
elderly who do not engage in habitual exercise.

Langue : ANGLAIS