Vibrating Platform Training Improves Respiratory Muscle Strength, Quality of Life, and Inspiratory Capacity in the Elderly Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Aging affects respiratory strength that could cause reduction in functional capacity and quality of life, playing a fundamental role in healthy aging and survival. To prevent these declines, the whole body vibration (WBV) has been proposed to increase strength and functional capacity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of WBV on respiratory muscle strength, thoracoabdominal ventilation, and quality of life in the elderly adults. METHODS: This study was a controlled, randomized double-blind clinical trial. The study included 28 elderly adults randomized into three groups: Resistance (n = 9), WBV (n = 9), or WBV + resistance exercises (n = 10), performing training, sham, or double training for 3 months, twice per week. The variables of the study were as follows: maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), distribution of thoracoabdominal volumes variation in optoelectronic plethysmography (pulmonary rib cage-VRCp, abdominal rib cage-VRCa, and abdomen-VAB), and quality of life. RESULTS: After training, WBV and WBV + resistance groups increased MIP and MEP (p < .001). During inspiratory capacity maneuver, WBV groups had incremental increases in chest wall total volume (p < .001), showing a rise in pulmonary rib cage (p = .03) and abdominal rib cage (p = .04). Furthermore, WBV groups improved SF-36 scores in functional capacity, physical aspects, energy, pain, and general heath domains. CONCLUSIONS: The WBV is a training that could improve respiratory muscle strength and quality of life and promote different ventilatory strategies in chest wall and thoracoabdominal compartments in healthy elderly adults.

Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Health Elderly: A Meta-Analysis / Efeitos da Vibração de Corpo Inteiro na Força Muscular e Qualidade de Vida em Idosos Saudáveis: Uma Meta-análise

Abstract Introduction: The literature presents different findings about the vibration training efficacy on muscle per- formance, even using protocols with similar parameters. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on strength and quality of life in health elderly people, presenting a meta-analisys. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, SciELO, LILACS and PEDro databases were systematically searched for studies that used WBV in healthy elderly. These searches were supplemented with material identified in references and a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed to sum- marize the findings. The search was performed by two independent researchers with a third was selected to solve problems of search disagreement, data collection, and quality score. Results: Nine studies with strength outcome and two studies with quality of life outcome were identified, with sample ranging 21 to 220 elderly, all studies had control groups performing exercises or guidelines. Some studies have shown sig- nificant improvements in muscle strength, muscle power, vertical jump height, timed get up and go test and quality of life. Conclusion: The meta-analysis of the findings in these studies shows that WBV could benefit health elderly, increasing muscle strength and improving the quality of life mainly in functional capacity. The number of publications found in the databanks searched is small, with limitations in design of protocols with a weakness to the interpretation of the findings, suggesting the need of investigation with WBV with well-designed protocols and controlled parameters into the effects of WBV training in elderly people.

Resumo Introdução: A literatura apresenta diferentes resultados sobre a eficácia do treinamento da vibração de corpo inteiro sobre o desempenho muscular, mesmo utilizando protocolos com parâmetros semelhantes. Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi investigar os efeitos da vibração de corpo inteiro (VCI) sobre a força e a qualidade de vida em idosos saudáveis, apresentando uma meta-análise. Métodos: A busca ocorreu nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, SciELO, Lilacs e Pedro visando estudos sobre o uso de WBV em idosos saudáveis. Essas pesquisas foram complementadas com material identificado nas referências e foi realizada uma análise quali-quantitativa resumindo os resultados. A pesquisa foi realizada por dois pesquisadores independentes, com um terceiro sendo selecionado para resolver problemas de desacordo na busca, coleta de dados e índice de qualidade. Resultados: Foram identificados nove estudos com desfecho força e dois estudos com desfechos na qualidade de vida, com amostras entre 21-220 idosos, todos com grupo controle recebendo orientações ou realizando outro tipo de exercício. Alguns estudos mostraram melhorias significativas da força e desempenho musculares, da altura do salto vertical, do teste Timed Up and Go e da qualidade de vida. Conclusão: A meta-análise dos resultados destes estudos indicam que VCI pode beneficiar idosos saudáveis, aumentando a força muscular e melhorando a qualidade de vida, principalmente na capacidade funcional. O número de publica- ções encontradas nas bases de dados pesquisadas foi pequeno, com limitações na concepção de protocolos com uma fragilidade na interpretação dos achados, sugerindo a necessidade de investigação da VCI com protocolos melhor desenhados e com parâmetros controlados na WBV em idosos.