Blood Circulation

With Vibration Training (VT), blood circulation is optimised through the contraction and relaxation of the muscles involved. In this process the capillaries are squeezed and relaxed. This causes an increase in the blood circulation in the body‟s small blood vessels.

In one clinical study involving VT the medium and large vessels were measured and they stayed the same size. The maximum systolic and diastolic speed of the blood flow stayed the same, but the mean speed of the blood flow increased. This was concluded to be due to the widening of small blood vessels, which reduced peripheral resistance increasing the mean speed of flow in the larger arteries. VT was thought to also reduce the viscosity of blood. In this study of the popliteal artery in the knee, blood flow velocity increased from 6.5 cm/s to 13 cm/s with a significant reduction in the resistive index (1).

 VT could be used to treat blood circulation disorders in extremities particularly the legs and feet. People with peripheral vascular disease, diabetic vasculopathy and varicose veins could potentially be treated with VT. Bone perfusion can also take place with VT. This has clinical significance and proven benefit with VT. It is thought that a large number of osteoporosis is due to inadequate blood supply caused by peripheral vascular disease (2).

REFERENCES

1. KERSCHAN-SCHINDL, K., S. GRAMPP, C. HENK, H. RESCH, E. PREISINGER, V. FIALKA-MOSER, H. IMHOF, Whole body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume. Clin. Physiol. May 21(3): 377-382. 2001.

2. VERSCHUEREN, S.M., M. ROELANTS, C. DELECLUSE, S. SWINNEN, D. VANDERSCHUEREN, S. BOONEN. Effect of 6-month whole body vibration training on hip density, muscle strength, and postural control in postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled pilot study. J. Bone Miner. Res. 19:352-359, 2004.