Muscle activity, cross-sectional area, and density following passive standing and whole body vibration: A case series

This study looked at whether using a vibrating platform while standing could help muscles in the legs of men with spinal cord injuries. The goal was to see if this therapy could make the muscles more active, bigger, and denser. The men stood on the vibrating platform for 40 weeks, three times a week. Researchers measured the electrical activity in their leg muscles, as well as the size and density of their calf muscles, before and after the therapy. The study found that while the vibration did cause some muscle activity, it wasn't enough to make the muscles stronger or bigger after 40 weeks. The researchers suggest that perhaps stronger vibrations or other methods might be needed to see real changes.

• 1
  PS-WBV acutely induced EMG activity in lower extremity muscles of SCI subjects.
• 2
  No significant changes in lower extremity EMG activity, muscle cross-sectional area, or density were observed following the 40-week intervention.
• 3
  The amount of muscle activity was maintained at the post-intervention measurement (i.e. no difference between the baseline and the post-intervention in all muscles).