Effects of vibration exercise in comparison to resistance exercise on leg muscle strength and ankle joint proprioception in elderly Thai women

Abstract

Objectives: To study effects of vibration exercise on leg muscle strength and ankle joint proprioception in elderly Thai women. Methods: The subjects were healthy elderly Thai women aged between 55-65 years. 45 subjects were assigned into 3 groups: a vibration exercise or VE group (n = 17), a resistance exercise or RE group (n = 16), and a control or C group (n = 12). All 3 groups were trained on leg muscle 3 times/week for 3 months. The VE group performed leg muscle exercise by performing high squat stance with knee-flexed 160° on vibration platform. The RE group trained their leg muscle by performing leg extension and leg curl while the C group trained their leg muscle by performing high squat stance with knee-flexed 160° on smooth and stable floor. At the beginning and the end of the 12-week program, all subjects were involved in 3 measurements: quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength test in Isometric test by Biodex System 3, ankle joint proprioception (inversion and plantarflextion) test by Ankle Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA) and balance assessment of A-P CoP excursion and Lateral CoP excursion with eyes-opened and –closed on hard and soft surface by standing on a force platform (BalanceCheck®). Results: The vibration exercise and resistance exercise groups significantly increased their quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength (p < 0.05) after training. It revealed that the resistance exercise group significantly increased in quadriceps muscle strength comparing among 3 groups. In addition, no significant differences among 3 groups were found in ankle joint proprioception test and balance assessments. Conclusion: Vibration exercise increases leg muscle strength after the 12-week training. However, resistance exercise has more effectiveness than vibration exercise in comparison with the 3 groups.