Whole-body vibration training reduces arterial stiffness, blood pressure and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese women

Obesity is associated with early cardiovascular dysfunction and reduced muscle strength. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training may improve arterial function and muscle strength. The effects of WBV training on arterial stiffness (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, baPWV), wave reflection (augmentation index, AIx), brachial systolic blood pressure (bSBP), aortic systolic blood pressure (aSBP), heart rate variability, and muscle strength (one-repetition maximum, 1RM) were examined in 10 young (21+/-2 year) overweight/obese women (body mass index, BMI=29.9+/-0.8 kgm(-2)). Participants were randomized to a 6-week WBV training or non-exercising control (CON) period in a crossover design. WBV training (3 days x week) consisted of static and dynamic squats and calf raises with vibration intensity at 25-30 Hz and 1-2mm amplitude (2.83-4.86 G). There were significant (P<0.05) decreases in baPWV (-0.9+/-0.3 ms(-1)), AIx (-8.0+/-2.2 %), bSBP (-5.3+/-1.5mmHg), aSBP (-5.2+/-2.1mmHg), low-frequency power (-0.13+/-0.05 nu) and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF, -0.42+/-0.16) after WBV training compared with CON. Significant (P<0.05) increases in high-frequency power (HF, 0.19+/-0.04 nu) and leg extension 1RM (8.2+/-2.3 kg) occurred after WBV training compared with CON. Six weeks of WBV training decreased systemic arterial stiffness and aSBP via improvements in wave reflection and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese normotensive women. WBV training may benefit arterial function and muscle strength in deconditioned individuals who cannot perform conventional exercise. Hypertension Research (2012) 35, 667-672; doi:10.1038/hr.2012.15; published online 23 February 2012