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Frequently Asked QuestionsInformation about Vibration Plates, Light Therapy, Bioptron productsCommon Questions 1. Why Choose Quicktone over the competition? 1. What is Vibration Training
(VT)?
Common Questions1. Why Choose Quicktone over the competition? Many customers have approached us to compare our product to
inferior cheaper models. Our answer is always the same, If it
costs less there definately is a reason. ^ Top
Vibration Plates1. What is Vibration Training (VT)? VT is a revolutionary form of anaerobic training developed and tested for elite athletes that everyone can use. By standing on the platform or placing your hands on it, it stimulates a training effect that utilises muscles to contract at a rate impossible to do voluntarily. A greater understanding of human physiology has allowed science to develop VT. This product is an oscillating platform that that moves from side to side in the natural human gait (the way humans walk) so that standing on the vibration platform stimulates the muscles in the legs all the way up the lower back and abdomen enhancing basic muscle function, toning and promoting strength and power. These oscillations/vibrations allow the muscles to produce beneficial involuntary automatic reflexes to stretch, flex and then relax. It is a similar reflex to a doctor tapping under the knee with a hammer causing the leg to stretch out. This involuntary reflex is controlled by the spinal cord. Although involuntary, the brain receives information about these movements and learns from them. The oscillations/vibrations are performed at an acceleration factor that is equivalent to training with weights. This side to side motion is like going up and down on a fast elevator: you feel heavier and lighter. VT simulates the effect of adding a greater gravitational stimulus to facilitate stronger bones and joints and stronger and more toned muscles. All this at a rate of, for example, 15Hz (oscillations/vibrations per second) means 15 contractions per second or 900 contracts per minute. This helps us establish a more efficient way to tone our muscles, increase metabolism, burn fat and look good.
What Does All This Mean? It means that Vibration Training (VT) is smart training. It utilises human physiology science and manufacturing to train smart. VT only requires 10-20 minutes 3-4 times a week to train anaerobically. It utilises up to 95% of muscle fibres available were normally you would activate only 40-70%. VT can stimulate these muscles to contract/relax 10-60 times a second. That is why it is not how hard you train but how smart you train. In only one study 10 minutes of VT was compared to twice a week training for a total of 5 weeks in which 150 leg presses were performed using 3 times the trainee’s body weight! Adaptive Responses of Human Skeletal Muscle to Vibration Exposure. C. Bosco, R. Colli, E. Intrioni, M. Cardinale, O. Tsarpela, A. Madella; Clinical Physiology 19 (1999) 2; 183-187
Are There Any Other Benefits? Over the past 10-15 years various doctors, universities and professional bodies have published numerous articles documenting these benefits. Of specific interest is the application for elite athletes. Here is a list: - Bone strength Documented changes with this ‘type’ of platform: These results have also been mirrored by important and beneficial hormonal increases, which solicit lean healthy muscle tone: - Growth hormone A reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, which is a negative effect of weight training. With VT you only get the positive effects of toning your body.
Can I Loose Weight With Vibration Training (VT)? VT is more than a weight loss tool. To reiterate it is not how hard you train it is how smart you train. VT will save you time: 10-20 minutes 3-4 times a week is sometimes all the time some people have. This is all you need if you choose VT as the only form of training and you can do this in the safety of you own home. It will build and tone lean bodies at the same time as reducing fat. It will increase you metabolism. It will flush out toxins from fat through the contraction and relaxation of muscle fibres (10-60 times per second). That is not to say that you will not also benefit from adding 10-20 minutes of aerobic training on alternate days. In weight loss it is no secret that common sense also prevails: with regards to a healthy diet. Staying away from unhealthy fats and sugars which not only lead to weight gain but also high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes which in turn lead to cardiovascular disease. In weight loss diet only approaches are not beneficial without a balanced exercise program. Diet only weight loss does reduce actual ‘body weight’ but generally speaking this lost ‘body weight’ is about 50% body fat (in short diets only water weight is lost) and 50% lean healthy functional muscle. When the diet is stopped and the same pre-diet eating habits are resumed the weight is put back on as fat only. This is a very unhealthy practice as the person dieting has regained fat at the expense of lean functional muscle and is now weaker and less able and willing to do the right thing and exercise. You can use VT as a stand-alone training regime but a combination of all three is best. You cab use VT for a quick intelligent anaerobic way to lean/tone your body, aerobic exercise to increase cardiovascular fitness on alternate days and good food for a healthy efficient energy source.
Are There Any Medical Applications? VT has been used by medical doctors and other health professionals on the elderly, rehab patients and patients with various other condition: - In the elderly enormous general improvement in physical function
health, vitality, balance and co-ordination
What Speed/Frequency/Hz Should I use? It all depends on what you want to do: - To improve balance and co-ordination use 5-7Hz. Also used
at the beginning of rehab of joints, tendons and ligaments followed
by 26-28 Hz for strength
Is Vibration Training (VT) safe? As with any exercise program consulting your doctor is recommended,
especially if you are advanced in age and have been inactive
for a long time or suffer from one or more serious medical conditions. - Pregnant There is very little cardiovascular risk with VT even when taken to exhaustion as it is only categorised as a mild form of aerobic exercise. Even though VT has been successfully tested for safety on heart transplant patients, anyone with cardiovascular disease or diabetes must consult their doctor for specific advice for them. As with any form of exercise everyone must be well hydrated. With VT the lymphatic system is pumping waste products out and vital nutrients synchronising this at the speed of the oscillation/vibration 10-60 times a second beneficially improving the immune system. In the process body fluid is lost. Drinking fluid before commencing VT will hydrate the trainee. It is a concern that long-term vibration causes injuries. These injuries are documented in workplace situations. These injuries are the result of hours of vibration and occur over 10-20-year period. This does not mean VT is harmful. VT involves short duration training sessions and there has not been a case where there was any injury recorded in any clinical trial to date. This is especially true for side-to-side oscillating vibration platforms because this platform simulates human gait (walk). In human gait all vibrations involved in high impact exercises like running and jumping are cushioned in a natural manner by the legs, pelvis, lower back and waist. The same type of cushioning cannot be claimed by linear (up/down) platforms.
I Am A Pensioner/Retired Is Vibration Training (VT) Safe For Me? VT is not only safe for those in retirement age but also extremely beneficial. In one clinical study performed on very old nursing home patients the results were not only safe but also startlingly beneficial to the quality of life: - 143% improvement in physical function
What About Price Service and Warrantee? Compared to the other company’s professional models Cutting Edge Therapeutics model vibrates at a speed of 60 where the others mostly go to 50 (one side to side oscillating vibration platform goes up to a speed pf 30). These are priced between $14 000 to $19 000 with a two year warrantee. Our price is $9 900 with a 4 year warrantee (to individuals, health care professionals and nursing homes). We can do this because our engine is of German make and the electronics from the USA. We deal directly with the manufacturer therefore the cost is reduced! Cutting Edge Therapeutics executive home model is equal in speed and warrantee to the competition (speed of 30 and 2 year warrantee). The difference is the price. The competition ranges from $7000 to $9000. Our price $4000! Cutting Edge Therapeutic entry-level model is $1400. RRP is $1600. Since we buy by the container and are the sole distributor for all these models in Australia we can pass the savings on to the customer. The difference between Cutting Edge Therapeutics and most of the competition selling this type of entry-level model is the owners are health care professionals that can give you the understanding, service and the information you need!
How Does This Vibration Platform Differ From Other Linear (Up/Down) Vibration Platforms? Amplitude (how high it vibrates/oscillates) depends on the position of the feet. The highest vibration amplitude is selected by placing the hands or feet at the extreme edges of the platform. You can progress at your own pace and select the higher amplitude for harder more intense contractions. Most home version linear platforms are limited and go up to 4mm with the professional model vibrating up to 6mm. Cutting Edge Therapeutics entry level model oscillates up to 13mm giving you a distinct advantage versus other models at this level as they generally go up to only 10mm. The executive home model and the professional model oscillate up to 10.5mm. Increasing the width of your stance easily controls the actual height/intensity. Increasing the amplitude also increases the metabolic power and muscle activity. You get the results you want faster. Maximum speed/frequency/Hz depends on the model. The Cutting Edge Therapeutics entry-level model gives you a vigorous 15 contractions per second. The home executive model gives you 30 contractions and the professional model 60 contractions. These speeds are manually controlled. With most top end models go to a maximum speed of 50 contractions per second while the Cutting Edge Therapeutics professional model goes to a speed of 60! There is even one top end model, which oscillates at half our speed: 30. Increasing the frequency/speed increases metabolic power and muscle activity. You get the results you want faster. It mainly differs in oscillation shape: it is a side to side movement which is partially circular in shape employing the body’s flexor and extensor muscles just like in gait (human walk). This simulation of human gait tones and strengthens core muscles. This strengthens and tones the muscles humans use every day correcting posture through posture stabilisation. Linear platforms do not have this type of benefit in their clinical studies. Linear platforms have head vibration problems that this platform doesn’t have. This is because the vibrations are absorbed by the legs, pelvis all the way to the abdomen and lower back i.e. the trunk muscles, just like the ‘vibration’ of normal walk: gait. The flexor and extensor muscles are triggered all the way up from the legs, pelvis to the abdomen and lower back. Linear platforms have to isolate these muscles through positioning while on this platform these core muscles are targeted. ^ Top 2. Contra-Indications of Vibration Training As with any exercise program consulting your doctor is recommended, especially if you are advanced in age and have been inactive for a long time or suffer from one or more serious medical conditions. It is unsafe to use a vibration platform if you are: - Pregnant
There is very little cardiovascular risk with VT even when taken to exhaustion as it is only categorised as a mild form of aerobic exercise. Even though VT has been successfully tested for safety on heart transplant patients, anyone with cardiovascular disease or diabetes must consult their doctor for specific advice for them. As with any form of exercise everyone must be well hydrated. With VT the lymphatic system is pumping waste products out and vital nutrients synchronising this at the speed of the oscillation/vibration 10-60 times a second beneficially improving the immune system. In the process body fluid is lost. Drinking fluid before commencing VT will hydrate the trainee. It is a concern that long-term vibration causes injuries. These injuries are documented in workplace situations. These injuries are the result of hours of vibration and occur over 10-20-year period. This does not mean VT is harmful. VT involves short duration training sessions and there has not been a case where there was any injury recorded in any clinical trial to date. This is especially true for side-to-side oscillating vibration platforms because this platform simulates human gait (walk). In human gait all vibrations involved in high impact exercises like running and jumping are cushioned in a natural manner by the legs, pelvis, lower back and waist. The same type of cushioning cannot be claimed by linear (up/down) platforms. ^ Top 3. What frequency should I use?It all depends on what you want to do:
^ Top 4. Muscle Tone, Strength and Power Resistance training is used as the training stimulus for skeletal muscle remodification. Repeated regular exercises are employed. The same principle is applied with VT. Sufficient rest is essential between exercise sessions for improving muscle tone, strength and size. Vibration Training (VT) takes advantage of the effect gravity has on us. By oscillating/vibrating from side to side over a short period of time, an acceleration co-efficient is employed and a gravity like force is exerted on the targeted muscle group. This is the same physiological principle used when training with weights. The difference with VT is, the extra gravity that is employed is in the form of short sharp movements not in the form of the extra pull/gravity that is imposed by carrying a heavy load in the form of weights. An everyday example of the extra gravity that is used in VT is when travelling up and down a fast elevator: there is a sensation of being heavier and lighter respectively. With VT this is done up to 60 times a second soliciting muscle contraction at the same time as applying a gravitational load. The result is increase muscle tone, strength and power. This increase in gravitational pull employed in VT is the process by which musculoskeletal (neurological and myogenic) and osteogenic changes can take place. So instead of doing for example squats in conventional training with VT you stand in the squat position and perform isometric/static contractions or dynamic movements or for advanced trainee’s: add weight for even greater results. The process to gain muscle tone, strength and power is sequential. Neural adaptations must occur first before muscular adaptation. VT improves the neural efficiency of the neural muscular system, resulting in improved muscle performance measured clinically to be more than double baseline values: measured electromyographically (EMG)(13, 14, 15). With VT neural adaptations improve impulse synchronisation, synergist co-contraction, antagonist inhibition and recruit more motor units and motor unit types. This then stimulates muscular adaptation. VT is credited with establishing this faster and more efficiently, in a manner not utilised with conventional training methods, which may seem archaic in comparison. Strong evidence suggests that VT achieves a superior excitation of the motorneurons compared to exercising without VT (1). VT activates almost all muscle fibres within the exercised muscle. This leads to fatigue of the muscle motor units. It is precisely this fatigue that leads to gains in muscle tone, strength and power (2). VT stimulates the Tonic Vibration Reflex (TVR) which is the term used to describe the reflex contraction stimulated by vibrations greater than 10Hz (vibrations per second). This stimulates the stretch reflex: Stretch Shortening Cycle (SSC). SSC’s main muscle fibre that is activated is muscle spindle Ia (muscle spindle: specialised muscle fibres innervated by sensory neurons. Stretching the muscle causes the neuron to fire. The muscle spindle thus functions as a stretch receptor). Polysynaptic pathways are used in this process (3, 4). VT stimulates vibration waves to propagate from the distal links to muscles located proximally and triggers a larger number of muscle spindles. This activation triggers a vast area of the motor pool activating many previously dormant motor units into contraction (5). This means that VT optimises the stimulation of higher recruitment threshold motor units and muscle tissue with each workout compared to conventional workout methods (6, 7). During VT there is a recordered inhibition of tendon reflexes that allows not only better activation of the muscles targeted but essential muscle fatigue to take place without which gains in muscle tone, strength and power cannot take place (8). An explanation of vibration training as a hypertrophic stimulus is that vibrations result in larger stretch/tension on the contractile muscle fibres either directly through the TVR itself or by increased capacity to lift heavier loads via the TVR. Stretch tension seems to be the essential stimulus (9, 10, 11). Significant gains in maximum strength and power that lead to increased muscle tone are even seen in resistance-trained men (6). Both slow (type I) and fast twitch (type II) muscle fibres have been demonstrated to be activated and enlarged by VT (12). Even though when using VT you are working hard, there is a clinically recorded perception that even when performing maximal dynamic weight bearing contractions there is a decreased level of effort compared to doing the same weight bearing movement without VT. There is a feeling that you aren’t working as hard! The authors explanation is an increase in the activity of muscle spindle Ia reducing the central feedforward element making it feel like there is less force being used than when performing the weight bearing contraction without VT (16, 17). Scientist have clinically measured an increase in EMG/power during vibration recordered to be double to triple with VT than without (16). All data points to a longterm training effect on strength, power and subsequently muscle tone (17). This is all done in a short time as vibration induced muscles firing at 10-60 times a second in various directions stimulates both slow and fast muscle fibres. It is the fast twitch muscle fibres that are essential in the anaebolic muscle response. It is the fast twitch muscle fibres that can respond most efficiently to high rates of induced contraction that are VT induced. The body’s muscles are even more susceptible to the sensory effects of VT when the muscle is pretensed or tensed during VT (18). This enhances the TVR. Another author also documented the same enhancement when the target muscle has been trained prior to VT (19). The trainee will thus get better more intense activation of more muscle fibres when the muscle being trained is tensed. You enhance the training results by employing this information. The improvement in neuromuscular efficiency in the above-mentioned mechanisms has resulted in authors claiming that non-weight bearing VT is equal in results to explosive weight training (20, 21). This makes easy sense since the speed of the acceleration of the side-to-side movement is greater in gravitational pull/force than in conventional explosive weight training. This training effect is accentuated in weight bearing VT. When weights are applied the normal VT activation of muscle fibres which are switched on by ‘creating a need for more motor control’ (from the oscillation/vibration) is many times greater. Dynamic movements employ more motor control than isometric/static movements. This means more muscle fibres are activated that work harder than with dynamic VT as opposed to isometric VT (5, 22, 24). One author found a 46% improvement in strength/power in the group that employed weights while on a VT machine versus a 16% improvement in the weights only group after only 3 weeks (5). It is well documented that the stretch reflex that is involved in VT (Ia afferents) has a low fatigue threshold and thus prolonged vibration causes the muscle to fatigue. The result is a decrease in the force and power of all the vibration induced contractions (19, 23). The solution when isolating muscle groups is very short repeated sessions of 1 to 2 minutes on frequency/ speed/ Hz of >20 and 3-4 minutes on 13-15 vibrations per second at high amplitude. As mentioned above the training effect is accentuated when weight is added as well as dynamic movements. A combination of both has the greatest training effect and subsequently causes the greatest/quickest muscle fatigue (26,27). The aim of the average person using VT is to improve physical and structural fitness i.e. to look good and feel good. VT does this by increasing muscle tone/size, strength, power and structural posture. To solicitate these desired results the trainee ‘must’ follow a program that will allow enough rest between VT sessions. This is ‘essential’ to the recovery of the trained body parts. Otherwise intramuscular fatigue occurs and the muscle tissue does not have enough time to go through its normal cycle. When a body part is trained the muscle stretches and grows a fraction bigger and stronger by first tearing slightly in order to accommodate its increase in size then it heals itself and re-establishing structural form. If this process is not given enough time intramuscular fatigue occurs: muscle tone, strength and power is lost. When beginning VT it is first recommended that the trainee trains only twice a week for the first two weeks before progressing to 3 then 4 times a week (when every body part is targeted). It is not recommended that you train more than 5 times a week if you are training every body part every time you train. The trainee should do no more than training 3 days on before taking 1 day of (when training 5 times a week). If you are adding weight while you are on the vibration platform you should train no more than 2 days on and 1 day off. If the trainee is training half their muscles on one day and the other half on the alternate day a maximum 4 on 1 off should be applied especially when the trainee adds weights while on the vibration platform. Following these recommendations will enable the trainee to make optimum gains. Thus in VT isometric/static positions are employed in the first 2 months followed by dynamic movements or a combination of both in months 3 to 6. Finally weight-bearing vibration is added. Each increment in weight added increases metabolic power/consumption significantly. Weight added to the waist does the same and the highest metabolic power/consumption occurs with the weight added to the shoulders (25). Training sessions of individual muscle groups depending on the vibration capability of the machine and can start at 30 and go to 120 seconds with 15 second increments on >20 Hz or 1 minute and go to 5 minutes on 13-15 Hz in 30 second increments. Increasing the frequency increases metabolic power/consumption significantly. This increases more proportionally with increases in amplitude (25). The rest period between training sessions can start at 60 seconds and go down to 30 seconds, in 10-second increments. REFERENCES
^ Top 5. Bone There is strong clinical evidence on the use of Vibration Training (VT) to increase bone strength especially in the elderly. Those that would benefit most from VT are those most at risk of fractures, particularly hip fractures. This group is postmenopausal women. They are at risk of becoming a mortality statistic. Age related reductions in Human Growth Hormone (HGH), testosterone, IGF-1, and estrogen do not help as these hormones play an important role in the maintenance of bones. (See ‘Hormones’ page to see the way VT increases these hormones). The most serious fracture an older person can have is a hip fracture. In the 1990’s there were 1.7 million world-wide (1). The mortality rate in these people is between 12-20% comparing them to people of similar age and gender without fractures (2). This is obviously at great cost to the person their family and friends. What is the solution? It generally seems that non-impact type training is not the solution as there have been no clinically recordered significant benefits (3). The only form of training that results in bone strength is impact training (4). One researcher showed that 100 minutes of VT was equivalent to 200 drop jumps (a high impact exercise) from 60cm two times a week for 12 months (5). Older people due to the lack of movement in most cases help to solicited bone decalcification. This is a natural process by which the body gets rid of what it doesn’t need. If the person is not weight bearing sufficiently and intensely enough bone resorption takes place. The result of age and inactivity is weaker bones, muscles, joints and general body structure which leads to a significantly high risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures. The loss of bone and muscle strength in space is a known fact. In space a reduction in gravity to zero means that the natural load bearing mechanism by which we maintain our physical structure is taken to a value of zero. The result in healthy astronauts is a sudden decrease of Bone Mineral Density (BMD), muscle mass and strength. The same effect is seen in bedridden patients. VT has been tested on this condition by the European Space Agency. Twenty healthy males were given ‘strict’ bed rest for 8 weeks. In that time half were given twice daily six-minute sessions of VT. The VT group limited bone loss up to 1/8 that of the control group (6). It is clearly clinically documented that VT builds and tones muscles. VT also strengthens joints, tendons and ligaments. These are the essential building blocks of good postural structure and stability. Structure and stability prevent falls, which in turn prevent fractures in the elderly. This is a huge benefit to the elderly trainee: 143% improvement in physical function (12). VT also supplies the bones with added gravitational force from the acceleration imposed by the oscillation speed. The higher the speed and amplitude the greater this superficial gravitational/weight bearing effect. The muscles, tendons and ligaments are stretched/pulled vigorously during VT and because they are attached to the bones, the bones are thus subjected to this extra strain, which helps strengthen them or at least make them maintain their BMD (Bone Mineral Density) (6). The opposite of VT is a sedentary/inactive lifestyle has the opposite effect: the bone is resorbed/dissolved from the inside. This effect is accelerated with age and post-menopause. One study on post-menopausal women over six months concluded that with VT there is a slight decrease in bone strength after 3 months followed by a strongly significant increase after 6 months (7, 8). The same group of people at risk of osteoporosis: elderly, postmenopausal, injured etc would suffer from muscle atrophy/wasting and subsequently a reduction in muscle power. VT by muscular contractions and the weight bearing acceleration factor increases muscular power in postmenopausal women (9). The association between osteoporosis and arterial atherosclerosis (hardening and deposition of cholesterol and plaque in arteries) has been identified. It has been clinically concluded that VT increases mean blood flow velocity directly related to the widening of small vessels in extremities. This leads to better bone perfusion. Accompanied with the VT induced improved lymphatic drainage, the result is improved leg hemodynamics (8). Peripheral vascular disease is caused by smoking, diabetes, cholesterol that in turn causes osteoporosis (10). Drugs that target cardiovascular disease also have a clinically proven beneficial effect on osteoporosis (11). These drugs improve bone turnover, bone mineral density and bone fracture rates. VT works like these heart drugs that help re-establish blood flow in the arteries in the heart as well as arteries that supply bone perfusion. VT increases circulation, improves lymphatic drainage and provides an efficient way to burn calories and reduce artery blocking cholesterol building up. Positioning/stance effects the way the VT transmits its vibrations to the all important hip area and to the lower back. These are the areas most at risk of a crippling osteoporosis related fracture. What has been shown to be most efficient at transmitting the vibration is a stiff/flexed stance on a vibration platform on the highest amplitude at frequencies/speeds below 20 Hz: 15-20Hz. This transmits above 100% of the vibration to the hip area. Frequencies/speeds above 25 Hz transmit approx 80%. This decreases to 60% in a relaxed stance and this is reduced to about 30% with knee flexion (13). It is therefore advantages to stand erect and stiff at 15 Hz using a high amplitude to maximise VT's osteogenic potential. REFERENCES
^ Top 6. Flexibility And Lower Back Pain (LBP) Vibration Training (VT) helps to stretch muscles and achieve results faster than conventional stretching methods. In one clinical study performed over 4 weeks with 3 sessions a week, flexibility was increased by 14% in the conventional method group versus 30% in the VT group (9). The benefits of VT have been demonstrated in healthy joints and in rehabilitating injured ones. VT helps to re-establish balance and increase strength in ankles and knee joints that have suffered injury. It is not only safe to rehabilitate injured joints but increases the speed of balance, strength and recovery. In one clinical study comparing VT with conventional methods for the treatment of LBP, the results showed equal results in pain reduction. Exercises on the vibration platform involved bending in the sagittal and frontal planes, slow movements of the hips and waist and rotation in the horizontal plane. The pain reduction was not only equal to conventional methods but, was significantly decreased on a visual analogue scale (p< 0.001), Friedman’s Test. The authors conclusion was “well controlled vibration may be the cure rather than the cause of lower back pain” (2). It is a concern that long-term vibration causes injuries. These injuries are documented in workplace situations. These injuries are the result of hours of vibration and occur over 10-20-year period. This does not mean VT is harmful. VT involves short duration training sessions and there has not been a case where there was any injury recorded in any clinical trial to date. This is especially true for side-to-side oscillating vibration platforms because this platform simulates human gait (walk). In human gait all vibrations involved in high impact exercises like running and jumping are cushioned in a natural manner by the legs, pelvis, lower back and waist. The same type of cushioning cannot be claimed by linear (up/down) platforms. The LBP study shows that VT is beneficial to pain relating to LBP and it has been shown to benefit pain with MS sufferers. REFERENCES
^ Top 7. Spinal Cord And Neurological Injury In one abstract presented by a research team within the New York University School of Medicine, Vibration Training (VT) helped rehabilitate all three patients in this small study group. These patients all had spinal injuries of various etiologies. All three were unable to stand at the beginning of the trial. At the end of the trial, two out of the three were not only able to stand for short periods but walk with walking aids. The third patient was able to get up and stand with minimal assistance and progressively increased their level of standing time. These patients showed that by using VT under specialist supervision they were able to partially rehabilitate the motor dysfunction caused by their different spinal injuries (1). VT, which elicits reflex standing through the contraction of muscles, was able to rehabilitate these patients with phenomenal results. This reflex standing is involuntary, like all contraction stimulated by VT of frequencies/speed >10 Hz. These miraculous results only show the claims of VT are legitimate: new and improved neural pathways are established which lead to gains in muscle tone, strength and power. These gains are structural and functional. Without these new and improved neural pathways no gains would have been made and a trainee would be standing on a platform and vibrating with no functional gains. The view of this research group is that VT represents an alternative to fitness effects gained through Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and/or treadmill induced walking with partial support (2). VT can also been used to treat neurological dysfunction like MS and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). These are disorders that involve of the neurological system. One example is a documented case of treating a wheelchair bound patient suffering from PD. After 16 months of VT as part of his rehabilitation treatment he was able to stand unaided and his gait scores improved from 40 to a consistent 80. (3) In a clinical trail where motor control was assessed by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score there was a significant (p<0.01) improvement of 16.8% and a 25% and 24% improvement in tremor and rigidity (4). The conclusion was reached that VT can be regarded as an additional device in physical therapy (5). VT also influences the postural control and mobility of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. In a double blind randomised control study only 2-4.4 Hz was applied over five 1-minute sessions with 1-minute rest between each. The measured effects were strongest 1 week after: the Get Up and Go test score change was from 9.2 seconds to 8.2, the postural assessment score increased from 70.5 to 77.5 (p=0.041) (6). REFERENCES
^ Top 8. Balance And Stroke Patients A contraindication for Vibration Training (VT) is acute or recent stroke (CVA/TIA). This does not mean that after the patient’s doctor’s instruction/permission VT cannot be implemented as part of rehabilitation to improve proprioceptive control of posture in stroke patients. A proprioceptor is found in muscles, tendons, joints and the inner ear that detects the motion or position of the body by responding to the body’s stimulus. In a clinical study designed to improve proprioceptive control in stroke patients showed a better centre of gravity (p<0.01) and an increase in their weight shifting speed (p< 0.05) (1). Basic functional performance and quality of life was improved with VT. Anyone can take advantage of the improvement in balance that VT gives. This result is only recorded in with side to side oscillating vibration platforms. The above finding can be applied to the elderly that have balance problems. In a study of nursing home patients performed in only 3 weeks over 9 VT sessions the results were phenomenal. Compared to the control group there was a 77% improvement in equilibrium, a 57% improvement in walking and a 39% decrease in the time required to get up and go. These results equated to a 143% improvement in the quality of physical function (2). Those who are recovering from injury or surgery involving balance essential limbs, joints and atrophied/weak muscles. Knee or ankle injury/surgery can be treated for balance stabilisation at 5-7 Hz. Strength can be increased between 13-15 Hz at high amplitudes in the basic model. 25-30 Hz is used in the professional model for increasing strength. This not only helps with balance but also structural a postural stability by increasing muscle strength and power in the affected limbs/muscles. Balance benefits have even been recordered clinically in young healthy adults (3). REFERENCES
^ Top 9. Blood Circulation With Vibration Training (VT), blood circulation is optimised through the contraction and relaxation of the muscles involved. In this process the capillaries are squeezed and relaxed. This causes an increase in the blood circulation in the body’s small blood vessels. In one clinical study involving VT the medium and large vessels were measured and they stayed the same size. The maximum systolic and diastolic speed of the blood flow stayed the same, but the mean speed of the blood flow increased. This was concluded to be due to the widening of small blood vessels, which reduced peripheral resistance increasing the mean speed of flow in the larger arteries. VT was thought to also reduce the viscosity of blood. In this study of the popliteal artery in the knee, blood flow velocity increased from 6.5 cm/s to 13 cm/s with a significant reduction in the resistive index (1). VT could be used to treat blood circulation disorders in extremities particularly the legs and feet. People with peripheral vascular disease, diabetic vasculopathy and varicose veins could potentially be treated with VT. Bone perfusion can also take place with VT. This has clinical significance and proven benefit with VT. It is thought that a large number of osteoporosis is due to inadequate blood supply caused by peripheral vascular disease (2). REFERENCES
^ Top 10. OLDER ADULTS The potential of Vibration Training (VT) to improve the quality of life of the people who need it most is startling. As mentioned in greater detail in the above fields VT has been shown to have an endless number of applications not only in testimonials but in clinical trials performed by specialist medical doctors and PhD’s in applicable fields like exercise physiology. There are gains in muscle tone, strength, power, balance, bone strength, healthy hormones, metabolism, flexibility and rehabilitation of various different physical ailments in a short period of time compared to conventional methods. It is because of these reasons that VT has also been demonstrated to rejuvenate older adults and give them a new lease on life. A research team performed a study in a nursing home over 4 weeks with only three training sessions a week of 4 times 1 minute per training session. The non-VT group had an average age of 79 years and a group with an average age of 84.5 years represented the VT group. The results in this short period of time was nothing short of a miracle:
http:/www.jointandbone.org/lite.cfm?23u&%2Fnews%2F200311%2Fnews20031103b%Ecfm These are truly encouraging results not only for nursing home residents but also for anyone seeking to improve their quality of life (1). In old age the development of sarcopenia causing frailty and muscle weakness makes VT a truly important development. There have been no recordered cases of any injuries in any clinical studies performed on vibration platforms. Under qualified supervision even nursing home bound patients can use VT to increase their quality of life. The safety of VT has been assessed on heart transplant recipients. Physiological readings were taken while dynamic weight bearing exercises were performed till exhaustion. The physiological measurements were the same as a similar study done on young healthy adults: maximum heart rate was 128 beats per minute, blood pressure was 132/52 and oxygen uptake was 48.8% of the maximum. Normal values returned after 15 minutes of rest. The results are similar to mild to moderate aerobic exercise (2, 3). These exercises were performed dynamically to exhaustion while weight bearing. The standard VT exercises are nowhere near this intensity. These exercises are to test the safety and maximum physiological exertion values, which were moderate at best. VT exercises on the elderly are performed for a maximum of 1-minute at a time. The risks to the elderly are categorised as negligible REFERENCE
^ Top 11. Stress Incontinence By using a combination of physical therapy and Vibration (VT) female stress urinary incompetence can be treated. VT acts by strengthening the muscles involved in closing the urethra. Results of one study were measured using pelvimetry, palpitation, ultrasound and subjective improvement of complaints (p<0.001). “The combination of VT and physical therapy turned out to be effective and thus represents a genuine therapeutic option for patients with stress urinary incontinence” (1). REFERENCES
^ Top 12. Hormones The body releases hormones as a physiological response to any type of training. One clinical study proved that after 10 one-minute repetition sessions of Vibration Training (VT) there was a 460% increase of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), a 7% increase of testosterone and an increase in IGF-1. These hormones are an important in the growth and repair of cells, especially muscle cells (1). HGH is secreted from the pituitary gland; it promotes growth in cells that influence the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Testosterone is a hormone that has anaebolic properties and in particular directly influences the speedy recovery of fast twitch muscle fibres. These are the main muscle fibres associated with VT and muscle development, strength and power. IGF-1 has anabolic generating properties. It is especially important in muscle, cartilage, bone, nerves and skin. A surprising find in the above mentioned study was a 27% decrease in cortisol. Cortisol is present in the human body when stress levels are high. Normally with anabolic/ weight training cortisol levels increase substantially. With VT there is a reduction. Not only do you get the benefit of training smart by utilising science and human physiology to train anaerobically but also you get a reduction of stress levels in the process. High levels of cortisol in the blood have also been linked to weight gain (1). There are age related declines in all three of these beneficial hormones. Low levels are linked with heart disease, diabetes and cancer as well as muscle atrophy/wasting (1). VT increases in serotonin: a feel good hormone that helps with the stimulation of smooth muscle and nerve impulses. VT also increases neurotrophine a substance that protects neurons. Its relevance here is the neurons involved in muscle activation that is stimulated by VT. REFERENCES
^ Top 13. Metabolism Vibration Training (VT) enhances muscular metabolic power and consequently muscular activity (1). Elevated metabolic power as a product of VT makes muscle activity easier to perform when comparing this activity without the benefit of vibrations (2). Some simple mathematics will tell you that muscle fibres firing between 10-60 times a second (vibration induced) in different directions will increase metabolic activity. Also as mentioned in detail under the sub-heading of ‘muscle tone, strength and power’ this involves the activation of more muscle fibres at a measured increased level of intensity. This intensity increases when you go from isometric/static contractions to dynamic then weight bearing. In VT an increase of 25% in clinically measured metabolic demand versus traditional resistance training. This in turn initiates an anabolic response (3). Higher rates of muscle tone equate to a higher resting metabolism. Higher rates of muscle and muscle tone equate to higher metabolic demand during training: the cycle continues with VT. The end result is good muscle tone at the expense of body fat. “A linear increase in specific oxygen uptake (sVO(2)) with an amplitude of only 5mm was measured from frequencies 18 to 34 Hz (p < 0.01). Each vibration cycle evoked an oxygen consumption of about 2.5 micro 1 x kg (-1). At a vibration frequency of 26 Hz, sVO(2) more than proportionally with amplitudes from 2.5 to 7.5mm. With an additional load of 40% of the lean body mass attached to the waist, sVO(2) like wise increased significantly. A further increase was observed when a load was applied to the shoulders.” This has shown that the metabolic power/consumption/muscle activity is controlled by these parameters: vibration frequency amplitude and external load (4). By taking advantage of the fact that most entry-level machines only have an amplitude of 10mm versus the Cutting Edge Therapeutics amplitude of 13mm the trainee can get the results they want faster. The executive home model ($4000) oscillates at 10.5mm versus 4mm in the models that cost between $7000-$10000. The professional model ($9900) also oscillates at 10.5mm and 60 Hz versus 6-10.5mm and 30-50 Hz in most ($14000-$19000). The difference is shown not only in the price but effectiveness. REFERENCES
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