Effects of short-term whole-body vibration training on muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the changes in lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 21 healthy university students who underwent short-term whole-body vibration training without previous whole-body vibration training participated. The study design was randomized between-groups design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups; control, training, and whole-body vibration training. All participants completed a six-week training protocol comprising a first two-week training period, two-week rest period following the first training period, and second two-week training period. Over four periods, the participants’ lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition were evaluated. Separate three-by-four repeated-measure analyses of variance, with three exercise mode groups and four periods, were initially used to analyze the primary outcome variables; lower-extremity muscle strength, balance performance, and body composition. [Results] In the three groups, lower-extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance performances, and body composition showed no changes during all periods. [Conclusion] This study provides a better insight on the responsiveness of short-term whole-body vibration training and will help determine whole-body vibration programs in revalidation and training.