Cardiorespiratory responses in different types of squats and frequencies of whole body vibration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This study aims to investigate the cardiorespiratory responses to different vibration frequencies to characterize the intensity of exercise, as well as to compare the effect of two types of squatting exercises (static and dynamic) on the whole body vibration (WBV) exercise in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-six subjects were divided and paired into healthy and COPD groups that performed static squatting associated with WBV (frequencies: 30, 35, and 40 Hz; amplitude: 2 mm) and dynamic squatting associated with WBV (frequency: 35 Hz; amplitude 2 mm) on a vertical vibration platform. Oxygen consumption (V̇o2), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (V̇e), ratio of minute ventilation to oxygen production (V̇e/V̇o2), ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (V̇e/V̇co2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and rating of perceived exertion were measured. For both groups, there was a decrease in V̇e/V̇o2 and V̇e/V̇co2 ratios during static and dynamic squats, as well as an increase in other cardiorespiratory parameters, and no significant difference existed between them. There was an effect of the type of squat on the HR variation; the values in the static squat were higher than those of the dynamic squat in both groups. There was a significant difference with a reduction in SpO2 at 40 Hz frequency when compared with 30 Hz in the COPD group. The other variables behaved similarly between the frequencies. The WBV exercise, regardless of the frequencies used, represented a mild effort that promoted cardiorespiratory response in COPD, with greater responses in the static squat and no adverse effect. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study showed that an acute session of light exercise of whole body vibration (WBV) can increase the cardiorespiratory responses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reaching values similar to that of the control group. The results might contribute, therefore, to the elaboration of exercise protocols with WBV for the treatment of patients with COPD during rehabilitation. Thus, future studies referring to training on the vibratory platform could use these exercise parameters and demonstrate possible long-term benefits.

Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Inflammatory Markers in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Pilot Study.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has gained prominence in the rehabilitation of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because it is a safe and low intensity exercise that promises beneficial effects on physical performance and quality of life. However, its effects on plasma cytokine levels in COPD are still unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the acute effects of WBV on inflammatory biomarkers in people with COPD. Twenty-six participants, COPD people (n=13) and healthy controls (n=13), were included. Both groups performed WBV at amplitude of 2 mm and frequency of vibration of 35 Hz, during six series of 30 seconds. They were assessed for lung function, body composition, 6-minute walking test (6MWT), handgrip strength test, plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL), IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, and soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) receptors (sTNFR-1 and sTNFR-2). People with COPD had moderate disease [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) = 58.1%], as well as a worse performance in the 6MWT. The plasma cytokine profile at rest showed that participants with COPD had higher levels of IL-8 and lower levels of IL-10. After one session of WBV, we found an increased plasma IL-10 level in the COPD group, with similar levels for healthy controls. One session of WBV modified the plasma IL-10 level. No effects were found on the other investigated cytokines.

Whole body vibration training increases physical measures and quality of life without altering inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers in patients with moderate COPD.

Whole body vibration training (WBVT) has been identified as an alternative intervention to improve exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of WBVT on inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers remains unknown. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of WBVT on quality of life and physical and inflammatory-oxidative parameters in patients with COPD. Twenty patients were equally divided into 1) an intervention group (IG) that performed the WBVT, and 2) a control group (CG) that did not receive any intervention. Intervention consisted in performing static squatting on a vibrating platform, in six series of 30 s, 3 days/wk, for 12 wk. Patients were evaluated for plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, soluble receptors of TNF-α; white cell count; plasma levels of oxidant and antioxidant markers; 6-min walking distance (6MWD); peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak); handgrip strength; quality of life; timed 5-chair sit-to-stand (5STS); and timed get-up and go test (TUG). After WBVT, patients from IG showed a significant increase in the 6MWD, V̇o2peak, and handgrip strength ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients from the IG reached minimal clinically important difference regarding quality of life. No significant differences were found in 5STS, TUG, inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers, and white cell count in the IG. The CG did not show significant improvement in all assessments ( P > 0.05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that the WBVT induced clinically significant benefits regarding exercise capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life in patients with COPD that were not related to inflammatory-oxidative biomarker changes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Whole body vibration training is a new option for nonpharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study showed the potential of this training to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and muscle strength in patients with COPD. Furthermore, to our knowledge this was the first study showing that vibration exercise does not modify the plasma levels of inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers, suggesting that the beneficial effects on physical measures and quality of life are independent of changes in biomarkers.