[Effect of whole-body vibration training on physiological indices and cardiovascular fitness in elderly veterans]

ABSTRACT

Whole-body vibration training as an exercise method and as a non-drug treatment strategy has been used for improvement of cardiovascular fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of whole-body vibration training on vo2max, body fat percentage, and lipid profile and serotonin level in elderly veterans. In this semi experimental study, forty veterans with 25 percent damage [age range 55-65 years of age] were selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Subjects in the experimental group performed whole-body vibration training for a period of 12 weeks with frequency of 30-35 Hz and amplitude of 1/7 mm. Our control group did not participate in any regular exercise program during study period. Serotonin levels, VO2max, percentage of body fat, BMI and lipid profile were measured before and after training for both groups. Data were introduced into SPSS18 software and analyzed by t-tests at P<0/05. After 12 weeks of whole body vibration training, we found significant decrease in the percentage of body fat, BMI and lipid profile and significant increase in VO2maxand serotonin in the experimental group [P<0.05]. Whole-body vibration training in the elderly veterans as a new training method can lead to improved cardiovascular function