Effects of vibration training and detraining on balance and muscle strength in older adults

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of 2 days/week versus 4 days/week of whole body vibration (wbv) during eight weeks of wbv training on health-related quality of life (sf-36),balance and lower body strength,as well as short-term detraining (3 weeks) on balance and lower body strength among older adults. thirty-four older adults were randomly assigned to a control group (control; n = 11) or to one of the vibration training groups: wbv 2 days/week (wbv_2d; n = 11) or wbv 4 days/week (wbv_4d; n = 12). the wbv groups exercised for 8 weeks,following 3 weeks of detraining. lower body strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) for both groups,wbv_2d and wbv_4d,after 8-week training. a significant reduction in strength was observed following 3 weeks of detraining only in wbv_2d group (p < 0.05). all variables of the sf-36 and the balance test did not change after intervention in any group. 2 days/week and 4 days/week of wbv during 8 weeks showed the same improvements on muscle strength. 3 weeks of detraining did not reverse the gains in strength made during 32 sessions of wbv. © journal of sports science and medicine.