Whole Body Vibration and Unstable Shoes on Balance in Healthy Young People

Effects of Combined Whole Body Vibration and Unstable Shoes on Balance in Healthy Young People: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: To compare the effect of different type of shoes (unstable or stable) combined with a whole body vibration training on balance.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Laboratory of biomechanics.

Population: Healthy young people.

Background: The use of whole body vibration to train strength and balance has increased in the last years. Last studies have shown that adding an unstable device increased electromyographic activity of the lower limb and the trunk muscles. However, no studies have investigated the effects of wearing unstable shoes during a whole-body vibration training on balance in healthy young people.

Aim: To compare the effects of different type of shoes (unstable [Intervention group] or stable [Control group]) combined with a 12-weeks whole body vibration training on balance.

Setting: Laboratory of biomechanics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body mass index < 35.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiovascular disease, incapacity to practice a physical activity, musculoskeletal pathologies, neurologic diseases, previous experience with unstable shoes, previous experience with whole-body vibration.