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COMPARING LOCALIZED AND WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION ON GAIT KINEMATICS: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of whole-body vibration is a long-standing modality for recovery via the stimulation of the proprioceptive pathways and increased muscular activation. Vibration has expanded into other realms such as sports medicine and the sports performance industry; however, there is minimal knowledge on comparing localized compression vibration (LCV) with whole body vibration (WBV) regarding gait kinematics. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of localized and whole-body vibration on walking speed (WS) and cadence (CAD). METHODS: Six male and female participants (22.33±2.88 yrs, 174.43±7.63 cm, 75.91±13.68 kg) volunteered to participate in this study and completed a within-subjects design. WBV and LCV were assessed to see the influence of different modalities of vibration on gait kinematics. A work to rest ratio of 1:1 through five rounds was completed in between sets of walking and ta 3D motion capture system was used to obtain gait. CAD and WS were assessed at baseline and following each intervention. Baseline was re-established following a washout period prior to the second intervention. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences between variables. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in between Pre and Post LCV WS (1.29±.13 vs. 1.34±.14, p=.00), however there were no significant main effects noted between Pre and Post WBV CAD (p=.08), Pre and Post WBV WS (p=.32) and Pre and Post LCV CAD (p=.48). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vibration can help to increase cadence and gait speed. Post WBV saw an average increase in WS and Cad but was not significantly different from the Pre WBV. Therefore, using LCV to alter gait kinematics may help to increase muscular and neural activation while potentially limiting future injuries. Continued data collection will be needed to support an increase in sample size further investigate these changes.

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