Effects of low-frequency vibration training on walking ability and body composition among older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

As life expectancy rises, age-related decline in mobility and physical function poses challenges for older adults. While traditional exercise can help, limitations and injury risks persist. This study explores low-frequency vibration training as a potential alternative to improve walking ability and body composition in older adults. A lottery was used to randomly assign 50 participants (mean age 80.08 years) to either a vibration group ( n = 25, 10 males, 15 females) or a control group ( n = 25, 11 males, 14 females). While the control group continued their regular daily schedule, the vibration group completed 8 weeks of low-frequency vibration training (frequency: 4-13 Hz; amplitude: two mm), three sessions per week, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes. The walk ability was assessed using the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and six-meter (six m) walk speed, while body composition was measured via body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Low-frequency vibration training significantly increased walking speed in the six m walk speed ( F (1,36) = 4.50, p = 0.04, η p 2 = 0.11) and TUG ( z = - 2.72, p = 0.007), compared with the control group. Observed improvements on the 30-s CST were not statistically significant ( F (1,36) = 0.05, p = 0.81, η p 2 = 0.002). In the WC, the effect of time ( F (1,36) = 7.19, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.16) was significant. The main effect of the group for HC ( F (1,36) = 0.06, p = 0.80, η p 2 = 0.002) and WHR ( F (1,36) = 2.00, p = 0.16, η p 2 = 0.05) were not significant, but the interaction effects for HC ( F (1,36) = 6.37, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.15) and WHR ( F (1,36) = 9.08, p = 0.005, η p 2 = 0.20) were significant. However, the intervention showed no statistically significant effects on BMI and body fat percentage. Low-frequency vibration training significantly enhanced walking speed and WHR in older adults. This low-intensity intervention is especially beneficial for those with exercise limitations or a high risk of injury. Although its effects on BMI and body fat percentage were limited, the study offers valuable insights for developing personalized vibration training programs.