The high intensity of the vibration training causes a number of hormonal changes in the body: the percentage of growth hormones and testosterone increases, the cortisol concentration decreases and serotonin is kept at a constant level. These positive reactions are used by the athlete to increase the efficiency during training.
The effects that are realised by growth hormones are
* increased calcium intake
* recovery of red muscle fibres
* support of protein intake
In Italy Prof. C. Bosco examined the reaction of growth hormones on the body after Vibration training*. Fourteen young, healthy men did ten standing exercises for 60 seconds on a vibration platform with a break of 60 seconds between exercises. After five exercises, the participants were granted a six minute break.
A blood sample was taken from all participants after the training to examine the plasma concentrations in the blood. Prof. Bosco stated that there was a 460% increase in his study. The starting value of approximately 6.2 ng/ml had risen to approximately 28.6 ng/ml. The enormous increase of the concentration of this hormone is very useful for the athlete. The bones become stronger, the recovery is faster and the proteins are better taken in.
IGF-1
This is an important hormone that helps burning fat. The increased IGF-1 stimulates the conversion of carbohydrates (glycogen) into sugars (glucose). Glucose supplies the muscles with energy so that they can move.
Furthermore, the conversion of fats into fatty acids (fats that are ready for burning) is stimulated. In principle, all the reactions are caused by the IGF-1 hormone. The growth hormone controls this hormone and it is therefore that the growth hormone is also called “control hormone”.
Testosterone
The research of Prof. C. Bosco* shows an increase of 7%. The production of testosterone rose form 22.7nmol/l to 24.3 nmol/l. An increase of testosterone explains among other things, a decrease of cellulites in women, building up of muscles and the increase of the bone density due to vibration training.
Cortisol
Cortisol plays a role in many processes in the body, including the digestion of food, the immune system and the sleeping-waking rhythm. The excretion of cortisol through the adrenal cortex also increases as reaction to all kinds of stress.
That’s why it is important in our busy society to keep the cortisol concentration low. The research of Prof. C. Bosco* shows that the cortisol concentration decreased from 682 nmol to 464 nmol, which is a decrease of 32%. Therefore vibration training decreases stress and thus contributes to the well being of a person.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a substance that is responsible for various functions in the body, such as muscle tension, appetite, sleeping, memory, moods, etc. Serotonin is also responsible for the transfer of signals between the brain cells, therefore it belongs to the so-called neurotransmitters.
* Bosco, C., lacovelli, M., Tsarpela, O., Cardinale M., Bonifazi M, Tihanyi, j., Viru M., Lorenzo A. De and Viru, A. (2000), Hormonal responses to whole-body vibration in men. Eur J Appl Physiol (81), 449-454