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Vibration training studies can help with overweight and obesity
Many people do sports to keep their bodies healthy and fit and to prevent overweight. Researchers have now investigated whether a less strenuous form of exercise, which uses so-called vibratory plates, leads to similar health benefits.
Researchers at Augusta University found in their study that the use of vibration plates or so-called whole body vibration training has the benefits of regular exercise in mice. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Endocrinology".
Is so-called full-body vibration training just as effective in combating the negative effects of obesity as conventional treadmill training? Experts now tried to clarify this question by a study. (Image: tortoon / fotolia.com) What is Whole Body Vibration Training?
So-called full-body vibration training is performed sitting or standing on equipment with a vibration platform. When the machine starts to vibrate, it transfers energy to the body. As a result, the muscles of those affected contract and relax several times a second, say the researchers.
Physical activity reduces negative metabolic effects
Many people find it difficult to exercise regularly. However, the lack of exercise increases the risk of obesity and diabetes, explain the experts. According to the researchers, such diseases can also increase the risk of bone fractures. Physical activity can help to reduce this risk and reduce the negative metabolic effects.
Vibration training helps counter negative effects of obesity and diabetes
Whole body vibration training can achieve the health benefits of regular exercise for muscles and bones, at least in tests on mice, say the scientists. Our study shows that full-body vibration training can be just as effective as normal training when it comes to fighting some of the negative effects of obesity and diabetes, adds Meghan E. McGee-Lawrence from Augusta University added.
Long-term training seems to decrease bone loss
Although training on vibration equipment was unable to compensate for the deficiencies in the bone mass of obese mice, it resulted in increased bone formation. This suggests that longer-term treatments may stop bone loss, the researchers explain.
Mice were divided into three groups
For the study, the researchers studied two groups of five-week-old male mice. One group consisted of normal mice, while the other group was genetically unresponsive to the hormone leptin. This hormone gives a feeling of satiety after eating, say the experts. Mice from both groups were assigned to either a sedentary group, a treadmill exercise group, or a vibrator group.
How were the mice trained exactly??
After a week of familiarization, the mice began a twelve-week exercise program. One group trained on vibratory equipment at a frequency of 32 Hz every day for 20 minutes. Mice in the treadmill group walked on a treadmill with a slight incline for 45 minutes daily. The third group did not do any exercises, the doctors say. The mice were then weighed weekly to assess the effects of the exercise.
Effects of training
The genetically-obese and diabetic mice showed similar metabolic benefits through treadmill exercise and training on vibration equipment. The obese mice achieved a higher weight loss through the exercises than the sedentary mice, say the authors. Nevertheless, the training mice remained heavier than normal mice. Training on the treadmill and on vibration equipment increased muscle mass and insulin sensitivity in the obese mice.
Further research is needed
However, there was no significant effect on young healthy mice. These results suggest that vibration training may be a useful adjunct therapy to combat metabolic dysfunction in individuals with morbid obesity, say the researchers. These results are encouraging. Since our study was conducted on mice, the findings on humans must be rigorously reviewed, adds McGee-Lawrence added. (As)