Whole-body vibration training reduces arterial stiffness, blood pressure and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese women

Abstract

Obesity is associated with early cardiovascular dysfunction and reduced muscle strength. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training may improve arterial function and muscle strength. The effects of WBV training on arterial stiffness (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, baPWV), wave reflection (augmentation index, AIx), brachial systolic blood pressure (bSBP), aortic systolic blood pressure (aSBP), heart rate variability, and muscle strength (one-repetition maximum, 1RM) were examined in 10 young (21±2 year) overweight/obese women (body mass index, BMI=29.9±0.8 kg m-2). Participants were randomized to a 6-week WBV training or non-exercising control (CON) period in a crossover design. WBV training (3 days × week) consisted of static and dynamic squats and calf raises with vibration intensity at 25-30 Hz and 1-2 mm amplitude (2.83-4.86 G). There were significant (P<0.05) decreases in baPWV (-0.9±0.3 m s-1), AIx (-8.0±2.2 %), bSBP (-5.3±1.5 mm Hg), aSBP (-5.2±2.1 mm Hg), low-frequency power (-0.13±0.05 nu) and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF, -0.42±0.16) after WBV training compared with CON. Significant (P<0.05) increases in high-frequency power (HF, 0.19±0.04 nu) and leg extension 1RM (8.2±2.3 kg) occurred after WBV training compared with CON. Six weeks of WBV training decreased systemic arterial stiffness and aSBP via improvements in wave reflection and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese normotensive women. WBV training may benefit arterial function and muscle strength in deconditioned individuals who cannot perform conventional exercise. © 2012 The Japanese Society of Hypertension All rights reserved.