Research Information System
Journal of Physical Education and Sport, vol.23, no.8, pp.2183-2192, 2023 (Scopus)
Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises have been widely recognized for decades as a popular exercise method known to have an impact on athletic performance. However, there is a clear lack of consensus in the existing literature regarding the effects of WBV squat exercises performed at different loads on jump performance, reactive strength index, and leg stiffness associated with this performance. To address this gap, our study aimed to compare the effects of whole-body vibration squat exercises applied at different loads on reactive strength and leg stiffness. For this purpose, we recruited twenty trained male athletes (age: 22.05±3.2 years, height: 177.1±6.5 cm, body mass: 74.5±10.6 kg, training experience: 9.2±3.33 years, training volume: 9.8±6.67 hours per week) to participate in the study. The participants underwent three different test sessions: T1 (sham intervention), T2 (25 Hz, 2 mm), and T3 (50 Hz, 4 mm). These sessions involved squat exercises performed on a whole-body vibration platform for 5 sets of 1 minute each, with 30-second intervals. The squat exercises were conducted at an approximate knee flexion angle of 110°. The three test sessions were spaced 72 hours apart. Immediately after each intervention, the participants’ reactive strength index, leg stiffness, ground contact time, and jumping height were examined. The statistical analyses, including one-way repeated measures ANOVA and/or Friedman tests, revealed that there were no statistically significant differences observed between any of the pairs concerning the variables investigated in the study. The study found no statistically significant effect of WBV when applied at various amplitude and frequency combinations on variables such as reactive strength index, leg stiffness, ground contact time, and jumping height. Despite WBV exercises being a well-known training concept, there is still a lack of consensus regarding the optimal parameters, including amplitude, frequency, body position, set, and volume configuration, among others. Replication studies are necessary to further investigate and clarify the effectiveness of WBV exercises on athletic performance.