Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10140368 | Human Movement Science | 2018 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) at a frequency spectrum from 20 to 50â¯Hz on the Hoffmann (H) reflex and the voluntary motor output of ankle plantar-flexor muscles. A single-group (n: 8), repeated measures design was adopted with four conditions: standing (no vibration), 20, 35 and 50â¯Hz, each lasting one minute. H-reflex of the soleus muscle, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and central activation ratio (CAR) of the plantar-flexors were evaluated before, 1 and 5â¯min after each frequency condition. H-reflex decreased by 36.7% at 20â¯Hz, by 28% at 35â¯Hz, and by 34.8% at 50â¯Hz after one minute from WBV compared to baseline. Neither MVC nor CAR changed after WBV at all frequency conditions. The short-term, acute inhibition of the H-reflex after WBV at 20, 35 and 50â¯Hz suggested that decreased excitability of spinal motoneurons is not frequency dependent. On the other hand, the lack of vibration induced effects on MVC and CAR indicated that a 1-min WBV stimulus is not sufficient to affect the voluntary motor output.
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Authors
Luca Laudani, José Mira, Flaminia Carlucci, Giorgio Orlando, Federica Menotti, Massimo Sacchetti, Arrigo Giombini, Fabio Pigozzi, Andrea Macaluso,