The Fitness Regime From Outer Space Has Landed!

Over the last few years the popularity ofis important to check that the platform area is large
vibration-training has increasingly grown with theenough for performing the type of exercise you
development of machines such as PowerPlate (TM)require. Performing a deep two-leg squat on a 16 by
and Vibrogym (TM), and with the recent introduction12inch platform (as for some low-cost machines) is an
of personal or 'domestic user' models, the potentialexercise feat in itself!
for greater training benefits such as strength andThe type of vibration -
power is now being welcomed into our own homes.Most commercially available machines such as the
From the current commercially available machines aPowerPlate (TM) and Vibrogym (TM) deliver vertical
basic vibration platform can cost as little asvibrations and as such the platform moves up and
£100 while the so-called professional editionsdown. However, machines are available that deliver
will set you back as much as £9000. Generally,rotational vibration based on a pivot-system platform.
much of the differences in cost are accountable toAs would be expected, there is some evidence to
the brand name and design. The type of materialsuggest that muscular responses to rotational
used and the quality of construction are undoubtedlyvibration and vertical vibration differ (Abercromby et
important factors for machine performance andal., 2007) although both types of vibration have been
durability, however aspects such as choice of colourshown to have beneficial effects for training (see for
and sleek design are factors that are unlikely toexample Cochrane and Stannard, 2005 and Delecluse
benefit neither your training results nor your banket al., 2003).
balance.User operation -
When it comes to choosing a vibration platform it isSome machines come with pre-programmed training
useful to consider the following factors:regimes with limited flexibility for the user to set their
The operational parameters -own training programme. If personalisation is required
Apart from the type and duration of exercisethen a machine that allows the user to select
performed, the intensity of vibration-training dependsparameters such as exercise and rest duration, and
on the frequency of vibration (the number ofnumber of exercise sets (in addition to the intensity
oscillations per second, measured in Hertz, Hz) andof vibration) should be chosen. Some machines have
the amplitude of the oscillatory wave (mm, cm). Thea limited duration of vibration exposure, so if longer
higher these characteristics are the greater thebouts of continuous vibration training are required
mechanical vibration stimulus.then the machine capabilities again need to be
The frequency range of vibration platforms differchecked. The majority of vibration-training studies to
with each model. Collectively, the operating range ofdate have involved less then 10-minutes of
commercially available machines is around 15Hz tocontinuous vibration training, with many using
60Hz. It is typical however, that machines onlyprotocols consisting of approximately 5 sets of
operate within a limited frequency range; some60secs with ~1min rest intervals.
between 15-30Hz, others between 30-50Hz, and theMedical Device Directive certification -
majority at and around 35Hz ±10Hz, and atThere are a couple of vibration machines on the
specific step increments. Commonly, the amplitude ofcurrent market that have Medical CE Approval. To
vibration is a factor that can also be user-determined.obtain such certification for a device a company
Platform vibration amplitude ranges from aroundneeds to provide proof relating to:
0.5mm to 12mm (peak to peak displacement)-Safety and electrical compliance
depending on the specific machine. When buying a-Risk Management and analysis
machine it is important to ensure it is capable of-Clear clinical Indications and claims
operating at the desired vibration intensities.-Clinical proof of these indications
Most research has centred on 25- 40Hz, but theAlthough this certificate is not direct evidence for
optimal frequencies for specific training are yet to bevalidating a machine, it is worth considering in order to
determined. While positive effects of WBV haveknow it is of sound operational function.
been found at and around 30Hz, there has been littleThe Extras -
investigation into lower frequency vibration andThere are many extras that come along with the
whether these provide any benefit. Research activitymore costly platforms such as virtual trainer
from our department (Mileva et al., 2006) showedsoftware, connections for peripheral equipment, and
that a frequency as low at 10Hz for segmentaleven platforms with inbuilt games consoles. If
vibration aided performance during resistancefeatures such as these are not a necessity then
exercise. For whole-body vibration training however,there is very little sense in paying extra for machines
to prevent hitting the resonant frequencies of internalthat offer them.
body organs it is advisable that frequencies lowerHopefully this short-guide to vibration platform basics
than 20Hz are avoided (Mester et al., 1999)has provided enough information for you to choose
The platform dimensions -your machine. Whatever your needs, there is likely to
Vibration platforms come in a range of sizes.be a machine out on the market that suits you. Good
Although machine dimensions are important from aluck!
convenience perspective, when choosing a machine it