Effect of whole body vibration on delayed-onset muscle soreness

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on delayed-onset muscle soreness, specifically pain ratings, sit-and-reach scores, and vertical jump scores. Participants in the study were 20 (10 male; 10 female) healthy, college-aged students (20.85 � 1.81 years). All students completed an IRB informed consent document and health history questionnaire to determine eligibility. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. For each participant, delayed-onset muscle soreness was induced via weighted lunges. Subsequently, the experimental treatment group underwent 10min. WBV before and after assessment for five consecutive days while the control group walked on a treadmill before and after each assessment. Assessment included visual analog pain rating, flexibility, and vertical jump measures.

Findings and Conclusions: No significant results were found between the control and experimental groups regarding pain ratings, sit-and-reach scores, and vertical jump scores. While not statistically significant, differences were noted between groups. Pain ratings showed overall decreases after the expected increase during the 48 hours following the induction of DOMS. Sit-and-reach scores showed trends of increasing flexibility in the control group. And vertical jump scores approached statistical significance. Several factors may have played a part in the lack of statistical significance of these data. However, this area should be explored further with modifications to this study.