Whole-Body Vibration Training and Pilates Exercises for Healthy Women

Comparison of the Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training and Pilates Exercises on Physical Fitness, Fatigue and Physical Self Perception in Healthy Women

This study aimed to compare the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training and Pilates exercises on physical fitness, fatigue, and physical self-perception in healthy women. This study was carried out on 36 healthy sedentary female subjects. Subjects were divided into three groups; Pilates training group, WBV training group, and control group. In the Pilates group, the exercises were performed with "Reformer®" for eight weeks, twice in a week, 45-min per day. In the WBV group, the training was given "Power Plate®" for eight weeks, twice in a week, and 30 minutes in a day. The control group did not receive any training.

This study aimed to compare the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training and Pilates exercises on physical fitness, fatigue, and physical self-perception in healthy women aged between 25-45 years. The study was conducted between August 2018-January 2019 in a health and physiotherapy clinic. This study was carried out on 36 healthy sedantary female subjects.

Before starting the study, the subjects were divided into three groups in a randomized manner using "Random Online Allocation Software" (www.Graphpad.com)

1. Group 1: Pilates training group
2. Group 2: WBV training group
3. Group 3: Control group

Pilates training group: The exercises were performed with "Reformer®" for eight weeks, twice in a week, 45-min per day. Warm-up and cool-down exercises were performed before and after the training.

WBV training group: The training was given "Power Plate®" for eight weeks, twice in a week, and 30 minutes in a day. Warm-up and cool-down exercises were performed before and after the training.

Control group: The control group did not receive any training.

The body composition of the subjects was evaluated with body mass index, waist-hip ratio and bioelectrical impedance analysis; functional capacity with Shuttle Run Test; core endurance with lateral bridge test, modified Biering-Sorensen test, trunk flexion test and prone bridge test and functional core strength with sit-ups and modified push-up tests. The stability of the core muscles was also measured with a pressure biofeedback instrument. The Sit and Reach test was used to assess flexibility and the Functional Reach Test was used for balance. Fatigue was evaluated with The Fatigue Severity Scale and physical self-perception was assessed with the Physical Self Perception Profile. The subjects were evaluated pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals have not been exercising regularly in the last six months
• Physical activity level was between 600-3000 MET min/week (Metabolic equivalent minutes/week) according to the result of the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire"
• Bodyweight of less than 130 kg Individuals.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of malignancy
• Pregnant individuals
• Musculoskeletal pain due to orthopedic or rheumatic diseases
• History of fractures in the past year
• Neurological disease (stroke, epilepsy, etc.)
• Chronic kidney or liver disease, cardiovascular diseases (cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac insufficiency, etc.)
• Imbalance due to peripheral vestibular disorder diagnosis (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease, etc.)
• Individuals who not be able to tolerate vibration for more than five minutes were not included in the study