Evaluation of the Balance, Muscular Electric Activity, Proprioception Before and After in the Vibratory Platform

Effects of Proprioceptive Exercises Associated With Vibratory Stimuli on Electromyographic Activity, Postural Oscillation and Sense of Joint Position in Healthy Individuals

Introduction: Proprioception refers to the information's dynamic, sent to central nervous system by the free nerve endings and mechanoreceptors, about the biomechanics relationship for the joint tissue. The proprioceptive exercises show a big prophylactic action by musculoskeletal injuries. Among the top modalities of these exercises, it can be cited the Whole Body Vibration (WBV). Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the joint position sense, muscle electric activity and the postural sway in healthy individuals, before and after performing proprioceptive exercises on the vibrational platform or on a stable surface. Materials and Methods: 20 healthy young (24,85 + 4,27 years) were recruited, randomly divided into two groups, Control Group (GC) and Experimental Group (GE). Were realized evaluates of the proprioception by means of the joint position sense, the muscle electric activity of peroneus longus, gastrocnemius medialis, vastus medialis and gluteus medium, and the postural sway by means of the postural sway before and after one assistance consisting of 4 sets of 60s with unipodal standing position on soil (GC) or on vibrational platform (GE).

The individuals who composed the two groups performed the same exercise protocol, however, on different surfaces:

• Control group: stable surface.
• Experimental group - vibratory platform, make / model Nissan Fisio; orbital amplitude: 6 mm; frequency: 30 Hz The exercises consisted of unipodal support on the non-dominant lower limb with the contralateral limb in a knee flexion near 90º. This exercise is a proprioceptive test that requires more than all joints and musculature of the lower limb, and is widely used in studies, for providing obvious clinical signs in the presence of dysfunctions.

Activities were performed with the individual standing without using any type of footwear, remaining without support of the hands and with the upper limbs abducted to 90º with the fixed eye on the horizon line. Both groups performed 4 sets of 60s of sustained posture. In the intervals between the series there was the rest of 60s, remaining in orthostasis with support of the upper limbs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals from 18 to 30 years;
• Healthy;
• Sedentary;
• That they agree with the Free and Informed Consent Term.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent surgery;
• Open wounds;
• Contagious skin diseases;
• Glaucoma;
• Labyrinthitis;
• Uncontrolled heart diseases;
• Pacemaker;
• Lower limb injuries;
• Neurological dysfunctions;
• Pain in the lower limbs;
• Use of drugs that alter the balance;
• Alcohol consumption in the previous 24 hours.