Muscular Performance is Improved by Long-Term Whole-Body Vibration in Comparison to a Traditional Training Program

The current study aimed to explore the effect of long-term Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) in comparison to traditional training on muscular performance. Thirty healthy physical education students were randomly allocated into a Vibration Group (VG, n=13), which underwent a whole-body vibration training program with external load, and a Traditional Group (TG, n=17), which received the same training program without a vibration load. The study was composed of pre-test assessments, a 4-week intervention phase, and post-test assessments. During the intervention phase, the VG and TG performed three training sessions per week, including six sets of 30-sec squats with external loads. Assessments included: Maximal isometric muscle strength; Power (assessed by Squat Jump); Reactive strength (assessed by Counter-Movement Jump and Drop Jump); and Muscular endurance. The results revealed significant improvements in all measured variables among the participants in the VG from the pre-to post-tests (p<0.05). Among the TG participants, significant differences between the pre- and post-tests were found only in the Squat Jump and the Counter-Movement Jump (p<0.01). A significant Group X Time interaction was found in the Drop Jump test, implying greater improvement in the VG following the intervention. The findings suggest that it would be beneficial for athletes to train with WBV to improve different strength and performance components, rather than traditional resistance training, which has the disadvantage of being very specific and time-consuming.