Benefits of WBV

WBV, or whole body vibration, is a therapy that uses vibration for various health gains. Specific areas are treated with vibrating cushions, cables and dumbbells, or the whole body with vibrating platforms. Gyms, weight loss clinics, athletes and chiropractors use whole body vibration machines and techniques. Some research indicates that vibration provides several health benefits, including increased muscle strength, faster muscle repair, weight loss and bone mass replacement.

Bone Density

WBV improves bone mass, especially in people with low bone mineral density and osteoporosis. As we age, the bones become less dense, increasing the risk of fractures and deterioration. Exercise prevents bone loss, but physical activity is difficult for individuals with weakened muscles and mobility problems.

The vibrations from WBV platforms produce results similar to exercise while allowing a patient to remain stationary. Accordingly, a patient can increase bone mass and decrease the risk of injury. In 2003, a six-month study at Leuven University in Belgium showed that menopausal women had an average of 1 percent increase in bone density after vibration therapy. Also, a study at State University of New York at Stony Brook concluded that sheep exposed to 20 minutes of vibration daily increased their bone density by 34 percent in a year.

Hormone Advantages

In a 1999 study of 14 men, scientists discovered that WBV training increased testosterone levels and decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated testosterone levels are linked to improved muscle strength. This may explain why some athletes who use WBV experience fewer injuries and heal more quickly.

WBV also helps regulate cortisol levels. The body secretes the hormone cortisol in response to stress. High levels of cortisol can bring on ulcerated organs and heart disease. WBV treatment helps the body to maintain balanced cortisol levels and thus ward off disease.

Weight Loss

Whole body vibration is suggested to promote weight loss. In May 2009, a WBV weight loss study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity. The study indicated that obese people who used WBV in conjunction with a low- calorie diet lost more weight and abdominal fat over the long term than those who used traditional weight loss methods.