Effectiveness of low-frequency vibration recovery method on blood lactate removal, muscle contractile properties and on time to exhaustion during cycling at VO2max power output.

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of low-frequency vibration recovery (LFV-rec) on blood lactate removal, muscle contractile properties, and on time to exhaustion during cycling at maximal oxygen uptake power output (pVO(2max)). Twelve active males carried out three experimental sessions. In session 1, participant's maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and pVO(2max) were determined, and in sessions 2 and 3, the participants performed a fatiguing exercise (2 min of cycling at pVO(2max)) and then a 15 min recovery period using one of two different methods: LFV-rec which consisted on sitting with feet on the vibratory platform (20 Hz; 4 mm) and passive recovery (P-rec), sitting without vibration stimulus. After that, participants performed an all-out exercise test on cycle ergometer at pVO(2max). In the recovery period, variables such as heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration [Lac], and tensiomyographic parameters (D (m): maximal radial displacement; T (s): time of contraction maintenance, and T (r): relaxation time) were measured. In an all-out exercise test, mean time to exhaustion (TTE), total distance covered (TD), mean cycling velocity (V (m)), and maximal HR (HR(max)) were also assessed. The results showed no effect of recovery strategy on any of the assessed variables; nevertheless, higher values, although not significant, were observed in TTE, TD, and V (m) after LFV-rec intervention. In conclusion, LFV-rec strategy applied during 15 min after short and intense exercise does not seem to be effective on blood lactate removal, muscle contractile properties, and on time to exhaustion during cycling at pVO(2max).

Influence of vibration training on energy expenditure in active men.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of whole-body vibration on energy expenditure, as well as on exercise intensity, during and immediately after a typical set of exercises for muscle hypertrophy in physically active subjects. Seventeen male university students (mean age 18.3 +/- 0.24 years) volunteered to perform 2 different training exercises: half squat (HS), and half squat with vibration (HSV). Both exercises were performed by all subjects on the vibration platform (with vibration only for HSV), the sequence order being assigned randomly. Energy expenditure (EE), respiratory exchange ratio, perceived exertion (PE), and heart rate were recorded for baseline, exercise, and short-recovery conditions. Training consisted of 5 sets of 10 repetitions of HS and HSV, with a 2-minute recovery interval between sets. Analysis of variance with repeated measurements and Bonferroni correction, as well as effect size were used for statistical calculations. Results indicated that EE and PE were significantly higher in the HSV group, during both exercise and recovery. Heart rate did not differ significantly between groups. Thus, it would appear that HS strength training could be rendered more energy-efficient through the addition of vibration. Moreover, it would be feasible to introduce vibration exercises into regular training programs, particularly those whose key objective is muscle hypertrophy along with fat reduction.