Abstract

Vibration training is a modality used to improve human performance. measured by muscle strength and power via a reflexive muscle contraction called Tonic Vibration Reflex. Reported improvements of this novel training practice are inconsistent which leads to poor understanding of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) and suggest lack of research supporting the beneficial physiological effects of the modality on the human body. This study examined the effects of vertical vibration parameters (frequency and amplitude) on the rate of muscle fatigue while subjects performed an isometric single leg squat exercise under WBV until exhaustion. Thirty healthy college level athletes volunteered in this study. Three levels of each independent parameter were examined for nine combinations of vibration. Surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity of eight muscles was measured: tibialis anterior, fibularis longus, vastus medialis oblique (VMO), gastrocnemius (medial head), biceps femoris, gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae (L4). Spectral analysis of the integrated EMG (iEMG) was performed to determine the rate of muscle fatigue under each vibration condition. Analysis of variance evaluating the effect of the vibration parameters was performed on the spectral analysis responses with a significance of p {600}0.05. Results found no main effect of any individual vibration parameter or any interaction effect on the rate of muscle fatigue. These findings aid our understanding of vibration parameter effects on the human body. Since vibration training's popularity is still growing, further studies on the matter should be pursued.