Skip to main content
Log in

Vibration-related extrusion of capillary blood from the calf musculature depends upon directions of vibration of the leg and of the gravity vector

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the effects of vibration of the whole lower leg on the content and the oxygenation of hemoglobin in the unloaded relaxed lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Vibration was applied orthogonal to and in parallel with leg axis to examine whether the extrusion of blood depends on an alignment of main vessel direction, axis of vibration and gravity.

Method

The blood volume in the muscles was altered by horizontal and 30° upright body posture. Fifteen male subjects were exposed to 4 sets of experiments with both vibration directions and both tilt angles applied in permutated order. The absence of voluntary muscular activity and the potential occurrence of compound action potentials by stretch reflexes were monitored using electromyography. Total hemoglobin and tissue saturation index were measured with near infrared spectroscopy. Changes of lower leg circumference were measured with strain gauge system placed around the calf.

Result

Vibration caused decrease in tHb and increase in TSI indicating extrusion of predominantly venous blood from the muscle. In 30° tilted position, muscles contained more blood at baseline and vibration ejected more blood from the muscle compared with horizontal posture (p < 0.01). At 30° tilting deeper drop in tHb and steeper increase in TSI (p < 0.01) were observed when vibration was applied in parallel with the length axis of muscle.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the vibration extrudes more blood in 30° head up posture and the vibration applied in parallel with the length axis of the muscle is more effective than orthogonal vibration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

EMG:

Electromyography

g :

Gravity

HHb:

Deoxygenated hemoglobin

LME:

Linear-mixed models

MVC:

Maximum voluntary isometric contraction

NIRS:

Near-infrared spectroscopy

O2Hb:

Oxygenated hemoglobin

RMS:

Root mean square

RMSbl :

Baseline root mean square

RMSMVC :

Root mean square of maximum voluntary isometric contraction

SD:

Standard deviation

tHb:

Total hemoglobin

TSI:

Tissue saturation index

WBV:

Whole body vibration

References

  • Beijer A, Rosenberger A, Bolck B, Suhr F, Rittweger J, Bloch W (2013) Whole-body vibrations do not elevate the angiogenic stimulus when applied during resistance exercise. PLoS One 8:e80143. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080143

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Belavy DL, Beller G, Armbrecht G, Perschel FH, Fitzner R, Bock O et al (2011) Evidence for an additional effect of whole-body vibration above resistive exercise alone in preventing bone loss during prolonged bed rest. Osteoporos Int 22:1581–1591

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bruyere O, Wuidart MA, Di Palma E, Gourlay M, Ethgen O, Richy F, Reginster JY (2005) Controlled whole body vibration to decrease fall risk and improve health-related quality of life of nursing home residents. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 86:303–307. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2004.05.019

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burke D, Hagbarth KE, Lofstedt L, Wallin BG (1976) The responses of human muscle spindle endings to vibration of non-contracting muscles. J Physiol 261:673–693

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cardinale M, Lim J (2003) Electromyography activity of vastus lateralis muscle during whole-body vibrations of different frequencies. J Strength Cond Res 17:621–624

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cochrane DJ, Stannard SR, Sargeant AJ, Rittweger J (2008) The rate of muscle temperature increase during acute whole-body vibration exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 103:441–448. doi:10.1007/s00421-008-0736-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Desmedt JE, Godaux E (1978) Mechanism of the vibration paradox: excitatory and inhibitory effects of tendon vibration on single soleus muscle motor units in man. J Physiol 285:197–207

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller JT, Thomson RL, Howe PR, Buckley JD (2013) Effect of vibration on muscle perfusion: a systematic review. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 33:1–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Iwamoto J, Takeda T, Sato Y, Uzawa M (2005) Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on lumbar bone mineral density, bone turnover, and chronic back pain in post-menopausal osteoporotic women treated with alendronate. Aging Clin Exp Res 17:157–163

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerschan-Schindl K, Grampp S, Henk C, Resch H, Preisinger E, Fialka-Moser V, Imhof H (2001) Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume. Clin Physiol 21:377–382

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lafortune MA, Lake MJ, Hennig EM (1996) Differential shock transmission response of the human body to impact severity and lower limb posture. J Biomech 29:1531–1537

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lings S, Leboeuf-Yde C (2000) Whole-body vibration and low back pain: a systematic, critical review of the epidemiological literature 1992–1999. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 73:290–297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lohman EB, III, Petrofsky JS, Maloney-Hinds C, Betts-Schwab H, Thorpe D (2007) The effect of whole body vibration on lower extremity skin blood flow in normal subjects. Med Sci Monit 13:CR71–CR76

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J (2010) Vibration as an exercise modality: how it may work, and what its potential might be. Eur J Appl Physiol 108:877–904. doi:10.1007/s00421-009-1303-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J, Beller G, Felsenberg D (2000) Acute physiological effects of exhaustive whole-body vibration exercise in man. Clin Physiol 20:134–142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J, Schiessl H, Felsenberg D (2001) Oxygen uptake during whole-body vibration exercise: comparison with squatting as a slow voluntary movement. Eur J Appl Physiol 86:169–173

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J, Just K, Kautzsch K, Reeg P, Felsenberg D (2002) Treatment of chronic lower back pain with lumbar extension and whole-body vibration exercise: a randomized controlled trial. Spine 27:1829–1834

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J, Beller G, Armbrecht G, Mulder E, Buehring B, Gast U, Dimeo F, Schubert H, de Haan A, Stegeman DF, Schiessl H, Felsenberg D (2010a) Prevention of bone loss during 56 days of strict bed rest by side-alternating resistive vibration exercise. Bone 46:137–147. doi:10.1016/j.bone.2009.08.051

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rittweger J, Moss AD, Colier W, Stewart C, Degens H (2010b) Muscle tissue oxygenation and VEGF in VO-matched vibration and squatting exercise. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 30:269–278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ritzmann R, Gollhofer A, Kramer A (2013) The influence of vibration type, frequency, body position and additional load on the neuromuscular activity during whole body vibration. Eur J Appl Physiol 113:1–11. doi:10.1007/s00421-012-2402-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roelants M, Delecluse C, Goris M, Verschueren S (2004) Effects of 24 weeks of whole body vibration training on body composition and muscle strength in untrained females. Int J Sports Med 25:1–5. doi:10.1055/s-2003-45238

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin C, Turner AS, Bain S, Mallinckrodt C, McLeod K (2001) Anabolism. Low mechanical signals strengthen long bones. Nature 412:603–604. doi:10.1038/35088122

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sackner MA, Gummels E, Adams JA (2005) Nitric oxide is released into circulation with whole-body, periodic acceleration. Chest 127:30–39

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sarelius I, Pohl U (2010) Control of muscle blood flow during exercise: local factors and integrative mechanisms. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 199:349–365

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seidel H (1993) Selected health risks caused by long-term. whole-body vibration Am J Ind Med 23:589–604

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Verschueren SM, Roelants M, Delecluse C, Swinnen S, Vanderschueren D, Boonen S (2004) Effect of 6-month whole body vibration training on hip density, muscle strength, and postural control in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled pilot study. J Bone Miner Res 19:352–359. doi:10.1359/jbmr.0301245

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Kerrick WG (2002) The off rate of Ca(2+) from troponin C is regulated by force-generating cross bridges in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 92:2409–2418

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weber T, Ducos M, Mulder E, Beijer Å, Herrera F, Zange J, Degens H, Bloch W, Rittweger J (2014) The relationship between exercise-induced muscle fatigue, arterial blood flow and muscle perfusion after 56 days local muscle unloading. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 34:218–229. doi:10.1111/cpf.12087

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zange J, Haller T, Muller K, Liphardt AM, Mester J (2009) Energy metabolism in human calf muscle performing isometric plantar flexion superimposed by 20-Hz vibration. Eur J Appl Physiol 105:265–270. doi:10.1007/s00421-008-0898-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zange J, Molitor S, Illbruck A, Muller K, Schonau E, Kohl-Bareis M, Rittweger J (2014) In the unloaded lower leg, vibration extrudes venous blood out of the calf muscles probably by direct acceleration and without arterial vasodilation. Eur J Appl Physiol 114:1005–1012. doi:10.1007/s00421-014-2834-9

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

H. İbrahim Çakar was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-BIDEB 2214/A).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Halil Ibrahim Çakar.

Additional information

Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Çakar, H.I., Doğan, S., Kara, S. et al. Vibration-related extrusion of capillary blood from the calf musculature depends upon directions of vibration of the leg and of the gravity vector. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1107–1117 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3597-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3597-x

Keywords

Navigation