Whole body vibration activates the tonic vibration reflex during voluntary contraction.
Eser Kalaoglu, Omer F Bucak, Mustafa Kokce and 5 others
PMID 37266357WHAT IT FOUND
Whole-body vibration activated different spinal reflexes depending on muscle state.
With voluntary contraction, vibration triggered the tonic vibration reflex in 4 of 11 participants. In the other 7, it triggered the bone myoregulation reflex instead. This does not prove vibration builds strength.
Key findings
01Simultaneous whole-body vibration and voluntary contraction activated the tonic vibration reflex in 4 of 11 participants and the bone myoregulation reflex in the remaining 7.
02In the 4 participants who showed a tonic vibration reflex, the whole-body vibration latency in semi-squatting was significantly shorter than standing latency.
03In the 7 participants who showed a bone myoregulation reflex, the whole-body vibration latency did not significantly change between standing and semi-squatting.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
Only 11 healthy young adult males were studied, all from the same hospital. The intensity of the isometric contraction was not measured or standardized. The study measured reflex latency only; it did not measure muscle strength or functional outcomes. Responses were inconsistent, with only 4 of 11 participants showing the hypothesized reflex change.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that whole-body vibration with contraction is an effective strength intervention. This study measured nerve reflex speed in 11 healthy men and found inconsistent results. It did not test patient outcomes or prove that the observed reflex activation leads to clinical benefit.