Citation

Zemkova E, Hamar D, Bohmerova L. Med. Sport. 2007; 11(4): 97-101.

Affiliation

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia. (zemkova@yahoo.com)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Polskie Towarzystwo Medycyny Sportowej, Publisher Walter de Gruyter)

DOI

10.2478/v10036-007-0018-y

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Introduction: Although several studies were carried out on effects of vibration exposure on strength, there are scarce of those concerning its influence on balance.

Aim of the study: The study examines changes of postural sway in older women after 3-month of proprioceptive stimulation training applied to lower extremities.

Methods: Altogether thirty-two older women, randomly divided into experimental and control group, participated in the study. They underwent two different forms of exercise during vibrations, either stood with slightly flexed knees or performed semi-squats. The intensity of exercise in the first case increased by lengthening the time of vibrations, whereas in the second by additional load. Vibrations were applied by means of special strength exercise device producing short-term counter movements at the frequency of 10 Hz and amplitude 3 mm. Stabilographic parameter (mean velocity of the center of pressure) was registered at 100 Hz by means of the stabilography system FiTRO Sway check based on dynamometric platform.

Results: Results showed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in velocity of the center of pressure from 11.2 +/-2.5 to 8.9 +/-2.0 mm/s. In addition, such an improvement of postural stability was more efficient after training in which semi-squats were performed as compared to those when subjects stood in semi-squat position on the vibrating platform (28.8 and 27.0 %, respectively). On the other hand, no significant changes in control group were observed (12.6 +/-2.4 and 11.9 +/-1.8 mm/s, respectively).

Conclusion: It may be concluded that long-term proprioceptive stimulation training applied to lower extremities improve postural stability in older people. Such a positive change may be ascribed to the enhancement of neuroregulatory functions, namely increased rate of motoneuron firing and better synchronisation of motor units activation.