Effects of immediate unilateral whole body vibration on muscle performance and balance in young adults

Objective: Whole body vibration training is a relatively new approach for enhancement of muscle strength, physical performance, and balance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of unilateral whole body vibration training. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Sixteen healthy, physically active volunteers participated in this study. Whole body vibration was applied with a frequency of 20 Hz and an amplitude of 3 mm for 3 minutes. Muscle performance and static balance were assessed before and after unilateral whole body vibration training. One leg standing broad jump test was measured to determine muscle performance which is closely linked to lower extremity muscle function. The good balance system was used in evaluation static balance. All test were measured 3 times and the average value was analyzed. Results: Jumping length was significantly improved by 0.11m in all participants after intervention (p<0.05). Among static parameters, significant results were observed where in the eyes opened condition, X-speed (medial-lateral sway) changed from 4.20 mm/s to 4.95 mm/s, Y-speed (anterior-posterior sway) changed from 5.77 mm/s to 6.54 mm/s and velocity moment changed from 12.77 mm 2 /s to 13.57 mm 2 /s (p<0.05). In the eyes closed condition, X-speed changed from 4.34 mm/s to 4.85 mm/s, Y-speed changed from 7.84 mm/s to 8.16 mm/s and velocity moment changed from 16.03 mm 2 /s to 16.11 mm 2 /s (p<0.05).