Vibe-Rate: The Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Perceived Pain Related to Muscle Soreness

• Main Author: Tucker, Lauren Ruth
• Other Authors: Going, Scott
• Language: en
• Published: The University of Arizona. 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/297775

Context: Numerous techniques have been proposed for enhanced recovery and decreased perception of pain after exercise. Whole-body vibration (WBV) may be a viable method to ameliorate post workout delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). However, the evidence to support WBV as a successful therapy is lacking. Objective: To study the effect of WBV on pain perception and amelioration of DOMS after an intense lower body workout regimen. Participants: 24 healthy, untrained volunteers aged 18 to 26, randomized to WBV group and control group. Intervention: Participants performed a workout regimen of six lower body exercises every other day for three weeks. WBV group was exposed to 5 minutes of vibration after each workout. Visual analog scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) used to measure changes in perceived pain. Timed descent of a flight of stairs used to measure the effect of pain on performance. Perceived pain and timed descent were recorded on all workout days. Results: Independent samples t-test found no significant differences in perceived pain between groups. However, timed descent approached significance (p=0.076, p=0.088) on workout days 4 and 5. Conclusions: Administering WBV therapy post-exercise may decrease perceived pain related to DOMS and provide functional improvement via neuromuscular enhancement.