Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of whole-body vibration under hypoxic exposure on muscle mass and functional mobility in older adults

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Ageing is accompanied by a loss of muscle mass and function, which are associated with decrease of functional capacity. Combination of WBV training with normobaric hypoxic exposure could augment the beneficial effects due to synergic effects of both treatments.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 36 sessions of the combined WBV training and normobaric hypoxic exposure on muscle mass and functional mobility in older adults.

Methods

Nineteen elderly people were randomly assigned to a: vibration normoxic exposure group (NWBV; n = 10; 20.9% FiO2) and vibration hypoxic exposure group (HWBV; n = 9). Participants developed 36 sessions of WBV training along 18 weeks, which included 4 bouts of 30 s (12.6 Hz in frequency and 4 mm in amplitude) with 60 s of rest between bouts, inside a hypoxic chamber for the HWBV. The “Timed Up and Go Test” evaluated functional mobility. Percentages of lean mass were obtained with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Neither statistically significant within group variations nor statistically significant differences between both groups were detected to any parameter.

Discussion

Baseline characteristics of population, training protocol and the level of hypoxia employed could cause different adaptations on muscle mass and function.

Conclusions

The combination of WBV training and hypoxic exposure did not cause any effect on either legs lean mass or functional mobility of older adults.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Walston JD (2012) Sarcopenia in older adults. Curr Opin Rheumatol 24:623–627. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0b013e328358d59b

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Gomez-Cabello A, Gonzalez-Aguero A, Ara I et al (2013) Effects of a short-term whole body vibration intervention on physical fitness in elderly people. Maturitas 74:276–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.12.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rolland Y, Czerwinski S, Abellan Van Kan G et al (2008) Sarcopenia: its assessment, etiology, pathogenesis, consequences and future perspectives. J Nutr Health Aging 12:433–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hairi NN, Cumming RG, Naganathan V et al (2010) Loss of muscle strength, mass (sarcopenia), and quality (specific force) and its relationship with functional limitation and physical disability: the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. J Am Geriatr Soc 58:2055–2062. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03145.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Trombetti A, Reid KF, Hars M et al (2016) Age-associated declines in muscle mass, strength, power, and physical performance: impact on fear of falling and quality of life. Osteoporos Int 27:463–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-015-3236-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Freiberger E, Sieber C, Pfeifer K (2011) Physical activity, exercise, and sarcopenia—future challenges. Wien Med Wochenschr 161:416–425. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-011-0001-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Csapo R, Alegre LM (2016) Effects of resistance training with moderate vs heavy loads on muscle mass and strength in the elderly: a meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 26:995–1006. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12536

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Schega L, Peter B, Torpel A et al (2013) Effects of intermittent hypoxia on cognitive performance and quality of life in elderly adults: a pilot study. Gerontology 59:316–323. https://doi.org/10.1159/000350927

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Goudarzian M, Ghavi S, Shariat A et al (2017) Effects of whole body vibration training and mental training on mobility, neuromuscular performance, and muscle strength in older men. J Exerc Rehabil 13:573–580. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1735024.512

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Ko MC, Wu LS, Lee S et al (2017) Whole-body vibration training improves balance control and sit-to-stand performance among middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 14:11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-017-0180-8

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Lau RW, Liao LR, Yu F et al (2011) The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil 25:975–988. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215511405078

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Rogan S, Hilfiker R, Herren K et al (2011) Effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 11:72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-11-72

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhang L, Weng C, Liu M et al (2014) Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on mobility, balance ability and general health status in frail elderly patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 28:59–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513492162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Merriman H, Jackson K (2009) The effects of whole-body vibration training in aging adults: a systematic review. J Geriatr Phys Therapy 32:134–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lam FM, Lau RW, Chung RC et al (2012) The effect of whole body vibration on balance, mobility and falls in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas 72:206–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.04.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Delecluse C, Roelants M, Verschueren S (2003) Strength increase after whole-body vibration compared with resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35:1033–1041. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000069752.96438.B0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Chen H, Ma J, Lu B et al (2017) The effect of whole-body vibration training on lean mass: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine 96:e8390. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000008390

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Beaudart C, Maquet D, Mannarino M et al (2013) Effects of 3 months of short sessions of controlled whole body vibrations on the risk of falls among nursing home residents. BMC Geriatr 13:42. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-13-42

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Van Nes IJ, Latour H, Schils F et al (2006) Long-term effects of 6-week whole-body vibration on balance recovery and activities of daily living in the postacute phase of stroke: a randomized, controlled trial. Stroke 37:2331–2335. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.0000236494.62957.f3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pollock RD, Martin FC, Newham DJ (2012) Whole-body vibration in addition to strength and balance exercise for falls-related functional mobility of frail older adults: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 26:915–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215511435688

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Buckinx F, Beaudart C, Maquet D et al (2014) Evaluation of the impact of 6-month training by whole body vibration on the risk of falls among nursing home residents, observed over a 12-month period: a single blind, randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res 26:369–376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0197-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Wandrag L, Siervo M, Riley HL et al (2017) Does hypoxia play a role in the development of sarcopenia in humans? Mechanistic insights from the Caudwell Xtreme Everest Expedition. Redox Biol 13:60–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2017.05.004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Palmer BF, Clegg DJ (2014) Ascent to altitude as a weight loss method: the good and bad of hypoxia inducible factor activation. Obesity 22(2):311–317. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Scott BR, Slattery KM, Sculley DV et al (2014) Hypoxia and resistance exercise: a comparison of localized and systemic methods. Sports Med 44:1037–1054. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0177-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Scott BR, Slattery KM, Sculley DV et al (2017) Acute physiological responses to moderate-load resistance exercise in hypoxia. J Strength Cond Res 31:1973–1981. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001649

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ramos-Campo DJ, Scott BR, Alcaraz PE et al (2017) The efficacy of resistance training in hypoxia to enhance strength and muscle growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Sport Sci. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2017.1388850

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Scott BR, Slattery KM, Sculley DV et al (2017) Acute physiological and perceptual responses to high-load resistance exercise in hypoxia. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12451

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Inness MW, Billaut F, Walker EJ et al (2016) Heavy resistance training in hypoxia enhances 1RM squat performance. Front Physiol 7:502. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00502

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Bayer U, Likar R, Pinter G et al (2017) Intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training on cognitive performance in geriatric patients. Alzheimer’s Dement 3:114–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trci.2017.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Korkushko OV, Shatilo VB, Ishchuk VA (2010) Effectiveness of intermittent normabaric hypoxic trainings in elderly patients with coronary artery disease. Adv Gerontol 23:476–482

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Weeks BK, Beck BR (2008) The BPAQ: a bone-specific physical activity assessment instrument. Osteoporos Int 19:1567–1577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0606-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Cohen J (1992) A power primer. Psychol Bull 112:155–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Yan B, Lai X, Yi L et al (2016) Effects of five-week resistance training in hypoxia on hormones and muscle strength. J Strength Cond Res 30:184–193. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001056

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Martinez-Guardado I, Ramos-Campo DJ, Olcina GJ et al (2019) Effects of high-intensity resistance circuit-based training in hypoxia on body composition and strength performance. Eur J Sport Sci. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1564796

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Dempsey JA, Morgan BJ (2015) Humans in hypoxia: a conspiracy of maladaptation?! Physiology 30:304–316. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.00007.2015

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Alvarez-Herms J, Julia-Sanchez S, Gatterer H et al (2015) Differing levels of acute hypoxia do not influence maximal anaerobic power capacity. Wilderness Environ Med 26:78–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2014.07.014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ramos-Campo DJ, Rubio-Arias JA, Dufour S et al (2017) Biochemical responses and physical performance during high-intensity resistance circuit training in hypoxia and normoxia. Eur J Appl Physiol 117:809–818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3571-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Bowtell JL, Cooke K, Turner R et al (2014) Acute physiological and performance responses to repeated sprints in varying degrees of hypoxia. J Sci Med Sport 17:399–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2013.05.016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Hogan MC, Richardson RS, Haseler LJ (1999) Human muscle performance and PCr hydrolysis with varied inspired oxygen fractions: a 31P-MRS study. J Appl Physiol 86:1367–1373. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1999.86.4.1367

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Scott BR, Goods PS, Slattery KM (2016) High-intensity exercise in hypoxia: is increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism important? Front Physiol 7:637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00637

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Mateika JH, El-Chami M, Shaheen D et al (2015) Intermittent hypoxia: a low-risk research tool with therapeutic value in humans. J Appl Physiol 118:520–532. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00564.2014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Sitja-Rabert M, Martinez-Zapata MJ, Fort Vanmeerhaeghe A et al (2015) Effects of a whole body vibration (WBV) exercise intervention for institutionalized older people: a randomized, multicentre, parallel, clinical trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc 16:125–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2014.07.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Podsiadlo D, Richardson S (1991) The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 39:142–148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Levine BD (2002) Intermittent hypoxic training: fact and fancy. High Alt Med Biol 3:177–193. https://doi.org/10.1089/15270290260131911

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Duckham RL, Tait JL, Nowson CA et al (2018) Strategies and challenges associated with recruiting retirement village communities and residents into a group exercise intervention. BMC Med Res Methodol 18:173. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0633-4

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Kadam P, Bhalerao S (2010) Sample size calculation. Int J Ayurveda Res 1:55–57. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7788.59946

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Bustamante-Ara N, Villarroel L, Paredes F et al (2019) Frailty and health risks in an agricultural population, Chile 2014–2017. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 82:114–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.01.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Gomez JF, Curcio CL, Alvarado B et al (2013) Validity and reliability of the short physical performance battery (SPPB): a pilot study on mobility in the Colombian Andes. Colomb Med (Cali) 44:165–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The project has been supported by the Government of Extremadura with funding from the European Regional Development Fund under Grant (Ref: GR18003); and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, under Grant FPU15/00450 and FPU15/00452.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. Universidad, s/n (Faculty of Sport Science), Cáceres, Spain

    Marta Camacho-Cardenosa, Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, Guillermo Olcina & Rafael Timón

  2. Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal

    Pablo Tomas-Carus

  3. Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, Évora, Portugal

    Pablo Tomas-Carus

  4. Instituto Superior de Educación Física, Rivera, Uruguay

    Javier Brazo-Sayavera

  5. Polo de Desarrollo Universitario EFISAL, Rivera, Uruguay

    Javier Brazo-Sayavera

Authors
  1. Marta Camacho-Cardenosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alba Camacho-Cardenosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pablo Tomas-Carus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guillermo Olcina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rafael Timón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Javier Brazo-Sayavera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marta Camacho-Cardenosa.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statement of human and animal rights

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards and the study design was approved by the Bioethical and Biosecurity Commission of the University of Extremadura (17/2016).

Informed consent

The eligible volunteers, who were informed about the study procedures, were requested to sign a consent form to participate in this research.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Camacho-Cardenosa, M., Camacho-Cardenosa, A., Tomas-Carus, P. et al. Effects of whole-body vibration under hypoxic exposure on muscle mass and functional mobility in older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 32, 625–632 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01246-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01246-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation