Vibrotherapy supports muscle regeneration after physical exercise

The aim of presented research of Polish scientists from the University of Physical Education in Krakow and the Vitberg Research and Development Department was to analyze the impact of vibration massage on the process of muscle regeneration [reflected by the maximum force of isometric muscle contractions (Fmax)] after short-term intense physical exercise compared to the effect of passive rest.

• As shown in Fig. 1, vibrotherapy during rest after intense exercise had a much more positive effect on the regeneration of muscle strength than passive rest.

Prepared on the basis of:

Chwała W, Pogwizd P, Rydzik Ł and Ambroży T. Effect of Vibration Massage and Passive Rest on Recovery of Muscle Strength after Short-Term Exercise. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 7;18(21):11680.

Study population

84 men (20-24 years old) participated in the study, showing similar physical activity of everyday behaviour and in a similar physiological state in terms of factors that may significantly affect the results of maximum muscle strength measurements.

Test procedure

All participants of the study performed submaximal lower limb exercises: isometric (ISO) or auxotonic (AUX) contractions. After the exercises they rested during two sessions of regeneration/ rest lasting 20 minutes each. Half of the participants were given gentle muscle exercise (M) vibration during 1st recovery session, and during 2nd session they had passive recovery (P). The other participants, on the other hand, rested passively during both rest sessions. Therefore, 4 equal experimental groups were selected, each with 21 participants:

• ISO-M – a group performing isometric exercises, which was subjected to vibrations during 1st rest session, and to passive rest during the 2nd session
• AUX-M – a group performing auxotonic exercises, which was subjected to vibrations during 1st rest session, and to passive rest during the 2nd session
• ISO-P – a control group performing isometric exercises, which was only passively regenerating during both rest sessions
• AUX-P – a control group performing auxotonic exercises, which was only passively regenerating during both rest sessions.

The effectiveness of the applied vibrations in the regeneration of muscle strength was tested in each participant 4 times: before and after ISO or AUX exercises and after each rest session. In each case, a 4-fold measurement of the maximum strength of the engaged muscles, in the conditions of isometric contractions, was performed on a leg press machine at an angle of 45 ° upwards.

Use of vibration in the study

Regenerative vibration massage of the group of muscles subjected to submaximal effort was performed at rest. Vibration was provided by a device from Vitberg. During the 20-minute vibrotherapy, a series of vibrations in the frequency range from 20 to 50 Hz and with an amplitude <0.5 mm were administered, separated by short (1 to 4 s) pauses. A modular structure of a vibrating mattress was used, the total contact surface of which allowed for simultaneous massaging of all target muscle groups of both lower limbs – without the need to change the position of the mattress or the subject during the procedure (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Application of the Vitberg vibrating modular apparatus.

Results

As shown in Fig. 1, differences in Fmax were found compared to the baseline in favor of the groups subjected to experimental vibration massage (ISO-M and AUX-M) (p <0.005). The 2nd rest session in all groups did not bring significant changes of Fmax in relation to the 1st rest session.

Comment

The presented results suggest that vibrotherapy of fatigued muscle groups may be an effective method of accelerating the process of their regeneration and regaining lost motor skills. Properly selected vibration parameters during active muscle regeneration between exercises can significantly reduce the necessary breaks in training units and between training sessions, improving the effectiveness of training.

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