The Effect of a Single Session of Whole Body Vibration on Mobility, Lower Limb Joint Position Sense and Balance of Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effects of a single episode of whole body vibration among community dwelling older adults on balance, mobility, and joint position sense. Methods: Thirty six adults over the age of 50 were recruited and underwent measurement of single limb stance for right and left legs, Timed Up and Go test, and joint position sense of the knee before and after a single episode of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) using a frequency of 6Hz, amplitude of 5mm, applied for ten minutes. Results: There was a statistically significant change in single limb balance for both the right and left legs following the single episode of WBV. There was no statistically significant change in timed up and go and joint position sense following WBV. Conclusions: A single episode of WBV for ten minutes, at 6Hz and 5mm peak to peak amplitude, had an effect on single limb balance, but no effect on joint position sense or mobility.