Health effects of whole body vibration

Abstract

Whole body vibratioWhole body vibration (WBV) has attracted increasing interest in recent years as an exercise modality with potential to improve neuromuscular performance and to increase bone mass and density. The utility of WBV in the management of various chronic conditions and in the promotion of physical fitness have been examined. Despite many promising findings, the question of whether WBV can play a role in the fostering of physical fitness in elderly people or the treatment of chronic diseases, such as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes is currently unclear. Further research is required to explore the therapeutic potential of WBV as an exercise modality and to investigate whether WBV training could become a viable (add-on) treatment for low back pain, fibromyalgia or osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Furthermore, potential long-term risks should be investigated.n (WBV) has attracted increasing interest in recent years as an exercise modality with potential to improve neuromuscular performance and to increase bone mass and density. The utility of WBV in the management of various chronic conditions and in the promotion of physical fitness have been examined. Despite many promising findings, the question of whether WBV can play a role in the fostering of physical fitness in elderly people or the treatment of chronic diseases, such as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes is currently unclear. Further research is required to explore the therapeutic potential of WBV as an exercise modality and to investigate whether WBV training could become a viable (add-on) treatment for low back pain, fibromyalgia or osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Furthermore, potential long-term risks should be investigated.