Whole-Body Vibration

The present study examined the effects of a 6-week whole body vibration training (WBVT) regimen on heart rate variability (HRV) and body composition in obese Hispanic postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly assigned to either WBVT (n=13) or non-exercising control group (n=14). HRV and body composition were measured before and after 6 weeks. There was a significant group x time interaction (P<0.05) for heart rate, sympathovagal balance and body fat percentage (BF%) such that all significantly decreased (P<0.05); and R-R intervals which significant increased (P<0.05) following WBVT compared to no changes after control. The changes in sympathovagal balance were correlated with changes in BF% (r=0.63, P<0.05). Our findings indicate that WBVT improves HRV and BF% in obese Hispanic postmenopausal women. The improvement in BF% partially explained the decrease in sympathovagal balance. Since obese and older individuals are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, they could potentially benefit from WBVT.