Immediate Effects of 2 Different Whole-Body Vibration Frequencies on Muscle Peak Torque and Stiffness

Siu PM, Tam BT, Chow DH, Guo J-Y, Huang Y-P, Zheng Y-P, Wong SH. Immediate effects of 2 different whole-body vibration frequencies on muscle peak torque and stiffness.ObjectiveTo examine the immediate effects of 2 vibration protocols with different vibration frequencies that yielded the same maximum acceleration (106.75ms−2) on muscle peak torque and stiffness of knee extensor and flexor.DesignRandomized crossover study with repeated measures.SettingLaboratory setting.ParticipantsRecreationally active male adults (N=10).InterventionParticipants performed 10 bouts of 60-second static half squats intermitted with a 60-second rest period between bouts on a platform with no vibration (control) and a vibration frequency of 26Hz or 40Hz.Main Outcome MeasuresConcentric and eccentric peak torques of knee extensor and flexor were examined within 5 minutes before and after vibration by isokinetic test. Young's modulus as an index of tissue stiffness was determined at quadriceps and hamstring pre- and postvibration by using an ultrasound indentation method.ResultsThe 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction effect between vibration and vibration frequency for knee extensor concentric peak torque (P=.003). The vibration-induced changes of knee extensor concentric peak torque in vibration frequency of 26Hz (14.5Nm) and 40Hz (12.0Nm) were found to be significantly greater than that in controls (−29.4Nm) (P<.05). The change in eccentric peak torque of knee flexor after vibration tended to be greater in 26Hz of vibration frequency when compared with controls (26Hz of vibration frequency vs controls: 13.9±7.1 vs −11.4±5.3Nm, P=.08). No statistically significant differences were obtained in tissue stiffness in the quadriceps and hamstring with any of the conditions.ConclusionsOur data suggest that whole-body vibration at a frequency of 26Hz and 40Hz preclude the decline in concentric peak torque of knee extensor observed after 10 bouts of 60 seconds of static half squats. A change in muscle mechanical stiffness property as induced by whole-body vibration is not supported by our data.