Sportec XG 5.0 Mode D'emploi page 24

All you need to know
WHOLE BODY VIBRATION: How it works
The Plate produces a vibration through which energy is
transferred from the platform to the body. By standing on
the Plate, your body automatically adjusts to the vibrations.
Remember that human bodies are made to absorb vertical
vibrations due to gravity acceleration effect. This
mechanical stimulus produces an involuntary stretch reflex
which, depending on the selected frequency, results in
muscles vigorously contracting 30 to 50 times per second.
The mechanical stimulation generates acceleration forces
working on the body. These forces cause the muscles to
lengthen, and this signal is received by the muscle spindle,
a small organ in the muscle. This spindle transmits the
signal through the central nervous system to the muscles
involved. It is described as Involuntary. Neuromuscular
stretch reflex
4. Brains
N
3.Spinal
Cord
2.Recepto
r
Joints Mechanoreceptors
1.Stimulu
s
Basically the Whole Body Vibration platform recreates the
muscle stretch reflex according to the following process:
1. Stimulus: a tap on tendon causes a muscle stretch
reflex
2. Receptor: the receptors in muscles and joints note this
shift in length
3. Spinal cord: they pass the information on to the spinal
cord
4. Brains: The response to this sensory stimulus via the
spinal column is a direct contraction of the stretched
muscle. The brain is not directly involved in this process.
Immediate and short term effects of WBV
Because more muscle fibers (also known as motor units)
are activated under the influence of vibration than in
normal, conscious muscle contractions the muscles are
incited more efficiently. The immediate effect of WBV is
therefore that the muscles can be used quickly and
efficiently, allowing them to produce more force.
Another immediate effect of WBV is an improvement of
blood circulation. The rapid contraction and relaxation of
the muscles at 20 to 50 times per second basically works
as a pump on the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels,
increasing the speed of the blood flow through the body.
Subjects often experience this as a tingling, prickling,
warm sensation in the skin.
Higher Centers
Motor
Motor
Muscle
Vibratory Stimulus
Long term effects of WBV
In order to have any effect on the body in the long term it is
vital that the body systems experience fatigue or some sort
of light stress. As in other kinds of training, when the body
is overloaded repeatedly and regularly, the principle of
super compensation will occur. This principle is the
cause of the body adapting to loading. In other words:
performance will increase.
This effect has been proven several times in scientific
research for both young and elderly subjects. Studies have
shown that using WBV leads to a significant increase in
strength. This is a clear indication that the vibrations
actually do have added value when performing static
exercises. Better results may even be achieved with WBV
in the area of explosive power.
Gain in Maximal Strength (%)
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
This graph shows the gain in maximal strength attained by
professional and casual athletes after training 2/3 times a
week for a period of 6 weeks on a Whole body vibration
platform. Strength is considerably improved after the
vibration training for the 6 exercises tested & the results
are even higher for the professional.
Another important difference between conventional training
methods and WBV is that there is only a minimum of
loading. No additional weights are necessary, which
ensures that there is very little loading to the passive
structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is
why WBV is extremely suited to people that are difficult to
train due to old age, disease, disorders, weight or injury.
On the other hand, it is also very suitable for professional
athletes who want to stimulate and strengthen their
muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the
physical system.
Other than its influence on the muscles, WBV can also
have a positive effect on bone mineral density. The
vibrations cause compression and remodeling of the bone
tissue Mechanostat, activating the osteoblasts (bone
building cells), while reducing the activity of the osteoclasts
(cells that break bone down). Repeated stimulation of this
system, combined with the increased pull on the bones by
the muscles, will increase bone mineral density over
time. It is also likely that the improved circulation and the
related bone perfusion due to a better supply of nutrients,
which are also more able to penetrate the bone tissue, are
contributing factors.
professional
athlete
casual athlete
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