High-frequency vibration training increases muscle power in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

To test whether training on a high-frequency (28Hz) vibrating platform improves muscle power and bone characteristics in postmenopausal women. Randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up. Outpatient clinic in a general hospital in Italy. Twenty-nine postmenopausal women (intervention group, n=14; matched controls, n=15). Participants stood on a ground-based oscillating platform for three 2-minute sessions for a total of 6 minutes per training session, twice weekly for 6 months. The controls did not receive any training. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months. Muscle power, calculated from ground reaction forces produced by landing after jumping as high as possible on a forceplate, cortical bone density, and biomarkers of bone turnover. Over 6 months, muscle power improved by about 5% in women who received the intervention, and it remained unchanged in controls (P=.004). Muscle force remained stable in both the intervention and control groups. No significant changes were observed in bone characteristics. Reflex muscular contractions induced by vibration training improve muscle power in postmenopausal women.