Effects of whole body vibration on prevention and attenuation of delayed-onset muscle soreness following eccentric exercises

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which occurs after eccentric exercises, may cause some reduction in ability in sport activities. For this reason, numerous recovery strategies have been used in an attempt to control the inflammatory-type response. Physical modalities have demonstrated no effect on the alleviation of muscle soreness or other DOMS symptoms. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been suggested as a viable warm-up in sport fields. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support the protective effects of WBV-Training (WBVT) on muscle damage. Thirty-two healthy untrained volunteers randomly assigned into two groups: WBVT (n=15) and control (n=17). Subjects performed 6 sets of 10 maximal isokinetic (60°.s-1) eccentric contractions of knee extensors with dominant limb on a dynamometer. In the WBVT group before eccentric exercise, whole body vibration was applied using a vibratory platform (Power Plate, 35 Hz, 5 mm peak-to-peak amplitude), with 100° knee flexion for 60 seconds while no vibration was applied in the control group. DOMS criteria (serum creatine kinase (CK), pressure pain threshold (PPT), muscle soreness, thigh circumference and maximal voluntary isometric exertion) were recorded at baseline, immediately after, 1to 14 days postexercise. WBVT group showed significant reduction of DOMS symptoms in terms of lower CK levels, less PPT, less muscle soreness and lower maximal isometric voluntary strength loss compared to the control group (P< 0.05) However, no significant effect on thigh circumference was evident (P> 0.05). The findings of this study showed that WBVT administered before eccentric exercise may control and prevent DOMS and enhance the quadriceps muscle activity. Further investigation should be undertaken to ascertain the effectiveness of WBVT in athletes.