Effects of vibration training in sitting posture on the lower extremity muscle strength, balance and walking abilities in older adults / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In China, population aging makes pension become prominent, so different pension patterns haven been developed. However, the existing patterns pay bare attention to the physical exercise of the elderly, and the elderly need regular exercise to delay the aging and improve the quality of life. Vibration training is an exercise method that popularized in the past decade. It can effectively enhance the muscle strength and balance function of the elderly. Little is reported on sitting posture, and exploring the effect of vibration training in sitting position on the elderly provides reference for physical intervention of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of 12-week vibration training in sitting posture on muscle strength of lower extremity, balance and walking ability of the elderly living in the day-care center. METHODS: Thirty-six elderly with an average age of 82.9 years were randomized into trial (n=20) and control (n=16) groups. The trial group underwent 12-week vibration training in sitting posture (amplitude 3 mm; frequency 3-13 Hz; 5 min/set, 1 minute in between; 2-4 sets/session; 3 times/week) by using vibration platform BODYGREEN. The control group received no vibration training in sitting posture with normal rest. Only investigators were blind to grouping. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the baseline, the five times sit to stand test, intensive Romberg test results, time up and go test results and 10-m walking test results showed no significant changes in the trial group. The deviation length, deviation area and Y-axis deviation of eyes open, and the deviation length and Y-axis deviation of eyes closed in Win-Pod balance test were significantly reduced (P ＜ 0.05). The indexes showed no significant changes in the control group before and after training. The elderly had good adaptability to vibration training in sitting posture, with no dizziness or other adverse reactions. These results imply that 12-week vibration training in sitting posture is beneficial to overcome the deviation of the center of gravity in older adults. Nevertheless, the effect of improving muscle strength of lower extremity and walking ability is not obvious. Vibration training in sitting posture can be accepted by the elderly, which may be regarded as a way of daily exercising for older adults.