Impact of whole-body vibration on anthropometric measurements and body composition in overweight and obese university students: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among university students is a significant public health concern. Consequently, identifying safe exercise modalities for this population is a priority.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) in university students classified as overweight or obese, focusing on anthropometric measurements and body composition.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A randomized controlled study was conducted with a sample of 30 university students (both male and female) aged 18-25 years. Participants were allocated into two groups: the intervention group (WBV group), which received whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy together with selected exercises, and the control group (Sham WBV group), which received sham WBV alongside the same exercises, administered thrice per week over a six-week period. The primary outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), assessed using a stadiometer and digital scale, and waist circumference (WC), measured using a tape measure. Secondary outcomes were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) via a smart scale to determine the whole-body fat percentage (BF%), visceral fat, and lean mass (kg).

RESULTS

Participants in the WBV group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in both BMI and WC compared to those in the sham group (p = 0.028 and p = 0.003, respectively). In contrast, no significant between-group differences were identified for body fat percentage, visceral fat, or lean body mass (p = 0.884, 0.29, and 0.199, respectively). These findings suggest that WBV may preferentially affect central fat distribution rather than overall body composition.

CONCLUSION

WBV positively impacted the anthropometric measurements of overweight and obese university students, as observed by improvements in BMI and WC.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT06913231.