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20-Hz whole body vibration training fails to counteract the decrease in leg muscle volume caused by 14 days of 6° head down tilt bed rest

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 105, Article number: 271 (2009) Cite this article

Abstract

A 6° head down tilt bed rest (HDT) was used to simulate the effects of muscle unloading in space. We tested whether vibration training (VT) reduces the decrease in leg muscle volume induced by 14 days HDT. In two study phases eight healthy male subjects received both (1) HDT and VT or (2) HDT and a control intervention. Twice daily five intervals of 1 min VT were performed (20 Hz, 2–4 mm) in upright standing position followed by 1 min breaks in seated position. The control intervention included identical procedures except the vibration plate was off. Before and the day after HDT volumes of upper and lower leg muscles were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. HDT combined with control intervention caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the volumes of muscles by −4 to −6.5%. VT failed to counteract the decrease in leg muscle volume induced by HDT.

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Affiliations

  1. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Höhe, 51170, Cologne, Germany

    Jochen Zange, Martina Heer, Götz Kluge & Anna-Maria Liphardt

  2. Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Müngersdorfer Sportpark 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    Joachim Mester & Anna-Maria Liphardt

  3. Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Jochen Zange

Authors
  1. Jochen Zange
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  2. Joachim Mester
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  3. Martina Heer
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  4. Götz Kluge
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  5. Anna-Maria Liphardt
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Correspondence to Jochen Zange.

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Zange, J., Mester, J., Heer, M. et al. 20-Hz whole body vibration training fails to counteract the decrease in leg muscle volume caused by 14 days of 6° head down tilt bed rest. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 271 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0899-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0899-z

Keywords

  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Countermeasure
  • Space flight
  • Immobilisation