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Effect of whole body vibration training on lower limb performance in selected high-level ballet students.
Submitted by jameskusachi on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 06:03
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of whole body vibration (WBV) training on vertical jump ability (CMJ) and knee-extensor performance at selected external loads (50, 70, and 100 kg; leg-press exercise) in elite ballerinas.
Methods:
Twenty-two (age, 21.25 +/- 1.5 years) full-time ballerinas were assigned randomly to the experimental (E, n = 11) and control (C, n = 11) groups. The experimental group was submitted to WBV training 3 times per week before ballet practice. During the training period, the E and C groups undertook the same amount of ballet practice.
Results:
Posttraining CMJ performance significantly increased in E group (6.3 +/- 3.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, E group showed significant (p < 0.05-0.001) posttraining average leg-press power and velocity improvements at all the external loads considered. Consequently, the force-velocity and power-velocity relationship shifted to the right after WBV training in the E group.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study show that WBV training is an effective short-term training methodology for inducing improvements in knee-extensor explosiveness in elite ballerinas.
Reference:
Annini G., Padua E., Castagna C., Salvo V.D., Minichella S., Tsarpela O., Manzi V. & Dettavio S. (2007). Effect of whole body vibration training on lower limb performance in selected high-level ballet students. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 21(4). 1072-1076.