Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of long-term whole-body vibration on
leg muscle performance and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis.
SUBJECTS: Twenty-five patients
with multiple sclerosis (mean age 47.9 +/- 1.9 years; Expanded Disability Status
Scale 4.3 +/- 0.2) were assigned randomly to whole-body vibration training (n =
11) or to a control group (n = 14). METHODS: The whole-body vibration group
performed static and dynamic leg squats and lunges on a vibration platform (25-45
Hz, 2.5 mm amplitude) during a 20-week training period (5 training sessions per
2-week cycle), and the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. PRE-, MID-
(10 weeks) and POST- (20 weeks) knee-muscle maximal isometric and dynamic
strength, strength endurance and speed of movement were measured using isokinetic
dynamometry. Function was determined through the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and
Go, Two-minute Walk Test and the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test. RESULTS: Leg muscle
performance and functional capacity were not altered following 10 or 20 weeks of
whole-body vibration. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of the present study, the
applied 20-week whole-body vibration exercise protocol did not improve leg muscle
performance or functional capacity in mild- to moderately impaired persons with
multiple sclerosis during and immediately after the training programme.

Langue : ANGLAIS