The Effects of Local Vibration on Balance, Power, and Self-Reported Pain After Exercise.

CONTEXT: Muscle fatigue and acute muscle soreness occur after exercise. Application of a local vibration intervention may reduce the consequences of fatigue and soreness.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of a local vibration intervention after a bout of exercise on balance, power, and self-reported pain.

DESIGN

Single-blind crossover study.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

19 healthy, moderately active subjects.

INTERVENTIONS: After a 30-min bout of full-body exercise, subjects received either an active or a sham vibration intervention. The active vibration intervention was performed bilaterally over the muscle bellies of the triceps surae, quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteals. At least 1 wk later, subjects repeated the bout, receiving the other vibration intervention.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Static balance, dynamic balance, power, and self-reported pain were measured at baseline, after the vibration intervention, and 24 h postexercise.

RESULTS

After the bout of exercise, subjects had reduced static and dynamic balance and increased self-reported pain regardless of vibration intervention. There were no differences between outcome measures between the active and sham vibration conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The local vibration intervention did not affect balance, power, or self-reported pain.