- Body Vibration Treatment

Osteoporosis Prevention –

Increase of bone density

Bone density can be increased with vibration training and the risk of fractures is lowered. Research shows that due to the increasing age of the population, osteoporosis and fractures as a result of osteoporosis occur more often.

Women after the menopause are exposed to the highest risk to have a hip fracture. It has been proven that the mortality rate of persons with a hip fracture is 12 to 20% higher than for persons with the same age and sex, who have not had such a hip fracture.

One third of the group surviving such a fracture does not reach the same load potential as before the operation. This group will always have a greater risk of further fractures.

To realise an increased bone density, the traction force of the muscle at the bone must be increased. During vibration training, the muscle strength increases, which results in turn in an increased traction force of the muscles. Furthermore, the increase of testosterone and growth hormones helps in the production of calcium.

Bones become stronger and remain strong with a regular training on the vibration plate. The research below shows that vibration training results in an increase of the muscle strength and the bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip bones.

The isometric strength, the dynamic strength and the bone density were particularly analysed, the results of which were then compared with conventional training methods.

During the study one group had been training on a vibration plate and another group had been training with conventional training methods for 24 weeks, three times a week. Moreover, a reference group took part in the study, which was not allowed any physical activity during the 24 weeks.

The vibration training shows a significant progress in all of the three study directions. The isometric strength, the dynamic strength and the bone density of the hip increased. The group that trained according to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine showed a greater increase of isometric strength, but a worse result of dynamic strength and bone density of the hip. The results of the reference group showed mainly a deterioration.

The muscle strength increased considerably with both vibration training as well as the high resistance group. However, the load on the passive organs is much lower with vibration training and this is very important for people with osteoporosis, because this means that the risk of a fraction is lower.
Furthermore, the direct influence on the bone density of the hip is greater with vibration training than with conventional training methods. Negative side effects were not stated*.

Hence it can be concluded that the influence of vibration training on the bone density is enormous in comparison with conventional training methods. In order to rectify problems with osteoporosis, it is recommended to include a vibration platform in the training.

* Verschueren S, Roelants M., Delecluse R., Swinnen S., Vanderschueren, D & Boonen S. (2004).

Effects of 6-month Whole Body Vibration Training on Hip Density, Muscle Strenghth, And Postural Control in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 19 (3), 352-359.

Continue on to read more articles on how vibration therapy can

cure osteoporosis.