Effect of whole body vibration in energy expenditure and perceived exertion during intense squat exercise.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration in oxygen uptake during intense squatting exercise with an added weight and whole body vibration compared with the same exercise without vibration.

METHODS: Nine male sub- jects performed three trials of dynamic squatting with an additional load of 50% of their body weight during 3 min. One trial without vibration, one trial with the frequency of 40 Hz and amplitude of 2 mm and one trial with the frequency of 40 Hz and amplitude of 4 mm.

RESULTS: The results showed no difference between the three experimental trials in relative and absolute oxygen uptake. However, the metabolic power and energy expended in whole body vibration (2 mm) were significantly different from exercise without vibration. The data analysis also showed a significant difference in rating of perceived exertion with whole body vibration (4 mm) compared with the exercise without vibration. Results showed that the addition of vibration stimulus has an increase in the energy expenditure particularly with 40 Hz and 2 mm amplitude, suggesting that the high metabolic power during heavy resistance training could be increased by the addition of vibration stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS: Involuntary contractions generated by the vibration can be used by coaches to increase the intensity of heavy resistance training or to increase the energy expended during the workouts if the goal is a decrease of body mass.