Could whole body vibration exercises influence the risk factors for fractures in women with osteoporosis?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the literature about the relevance of the whole body vibration (WBV) in decreasing the number of fractures in osteoporotic women. METHODS: Searches were performed by three independent researchers through the PubMed and PEDro databases. RESULTS: Only 0.1% of the publications with “Fracture and osteoporosis” have a relation with WBV exercise. The achievements have revealed a positive effect of this exercise in patients with risk factors for fractures like osteoporosis. Protocols were performed two to three times a week, from 6 up to 18 months, and with 12.6 up to 40 Hz as frequencies. Different tools were used to evaluate the effects of the WBV exercise in conditions that could cause fractures in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: Although the paucity of research regarding direct effects of WBV in decreasing fractures, WBV could be a feasible and effective way to modify well-recognized risk factors for falls and fractures, improvements in some aspects of neuromuscular function and balance. More studies have to be performed establish protocols with well controlled parameters.