When the central nervous system is injured for whatever reason, this may lead to a variety of different impairments on our body’s functionial ability such as walking function. Vibration has been shown to improve our ability to walk correctly and free of problems. Therefore, a study was conducted by the Universtiy of Miami’s “Miami Project to Cure Paralysis” to determine whether repeated use of Whole Body Vibration is in fact correlated with improving the walking function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Seventeen individuals with chronic motor-incomplete SCI (chronic = had condition for at least one year) were the subjects of the study. They were tested before and after they participated in twelve sessions (3 days/week for 4 weeks) of intervention with WBV. Their walking function and the change therein was assessed via 3D motion capture, walking speed being the primary outcome measure. The study also assessed the influence of the WBV intervention on secondary gait characteristics, including cadence, step length and hip-knee intralimb coordination. The subjects’ walking speed went up significantly by a mean of 0.062 +/- 0.011 m/s, denoting a noteworthy statistical change (p < 0.001).
Additionally, the WBV study also demonstrated significant statistical increases in cadence. Both the stronger and weaker legs exhibited farther step length and enhanced the consistency of intralimb coordination. As a result, improvements in walking speed were strongly correlated with these changes in cadence and step length in the stronger leg. The improvement in walking speed observed with the WBV intervention was comparable to that reported in the literature in association with locomotor training. Even in non-clinical populations this magnitude of change has been deemed clincally meaningful. Therefore, the study’s observations suggest WBV may improve walking function with effects that may persist for some time following the intervention.
Researchers have found one more reason that exercise is good for you: Moderate daily workouts appear to lessen the severity of flu symptoms and even help keep the flu at bay in mice.
Scientists at Iowa State University found mice that regularly ran on a treadmill over a 3 1/2 month period developed less severe symptoms from the flu virus and had less influenza and lower levels of inflammation factors in their lings than those that were not subjected to exercise. Findings appeared in the Nov. 1 print issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
“Perhaps the moderate stress from repeated exposure to moderate exercise might then improve your ability to respond to other stressed, such as influenza,” says Marian Kohut, associate professor of kinesiology at Iowa State and the study’s lead researcher. “We’re continuing to try and find out if that’s true, then what are the mechanisms?”
Iowa State University
Oregonian Article from Wednesday November 4th, 2009
Mechanical equipment for body building has been around for quite some time now. A recent entrant in this field is the Whole Body Vibration Machine (WBV). These machines employ low magnitude and low speed vibrations which are gentle in nature. The principle of the WBV is that the body consists of billions of cells. These cells need individual bundles of energy steadily and on a continuous basis so that they can perform the tasks assigned to them. Normally it is not possible to ensure an equitable distribution of energy to each independent cell. There could be numerous reasons for this. Briefly expressed – our lifestyle prevents us from energizing our body and its individual cells constantly. This results in obesity. A well designed whole body vibration machine, on the other hand, ensures even distribution of energy throughout the body. The WBV therefore, is especially useful for people who are on the go. Research on WBVResearch has been carried out on post menopausal women who naturally tend to develop osteoporosis. Research findings have confirmed that regular use of vibration platforms results in improved hip bone mass density besides muscle strength, both dynamic and isometric. The findings have therefore recommended the use of WBV for prevention of fractures and falls in respect of older women. Advantages of WBV- Brings about a strengthening of muscles, as much as 50% over 3 weeks. – Combats osteoporosis and improves bone density. – An improvement in coordination and the sense of balance. – Reduction of pains in joints and back. – Increases metabolic rate and reduces fat. – Improvement in blood circulation and oxygen absorption. – Reduction in cellulite. – Reduction in blood pressure. – A mood elevator. Creates a feeling of well being. – Raises testosterone levels. The CostThe cost of a portable model WBV can very based on the features and the design complexity. Contraindications- Pregnant women. – Those with medical restrictions. – Those who have had surgery recently or implants in joint, foot, hip or knee.
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