A single whole body vibration session influences quadriceps muscle strength, functional mobility and balance of elderly with osteopenia and/or osteoporosis? Pragmatic clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study verify the immediate effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on quadriceps muscle strength, functional mobility and balance in elderly patients with Osteopenia and/or Osteoporosis.MethodsThis was a randomized pragmatic clinical trial with 34 elderly (32 women) randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (EG; n\u2009=\u200917) who underwent low-frequency (16\xa0Hz) WBV and the control group (CG; n\u2009=\u200917) who performed the walk. Outcome measures were: quadriceps muscle strength measured by a maximal repetition test (1RM); functional mobility assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and balance assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).ResultsIn within-group interaction, a significant increase was observed in quadriceps muscle strength (EG:p\u2009=\u20090.047) and balance (EG: p\u2009=\u20090,012; CG: p\u2009=\u20090,007). In between-groups interaction, a significant difference was not observed. There was an increase in the muscular strength of the EG and in the balance in both groups.ConclusionAn WBV training session was able to alter the muscular strength of the LQ and the balance of the elderly with Osteopenia and/or Osteoporosis. It is suggested, however, that future studies involving larger sample number and/or populations should be developed to analyze the short-term effects of WBV.