- What exactly is vibration-training?
- How applicable is the TurboSonic?
- Can vibration have damaging effects in the long run?
- In sports, one should try and do specific training; in which case,
how applicable is vibration-training in sports? - When training on the TurboSonic, do the arms also undergo training?
- What is now the ideal protocol?
- Why do we hear or read so little about vibration-training?
- Does vibration-training have scientific foundation?
- Can vibration-training be used by everyone, and how safe is it?
A1. Vibration training is a method of training in which the TurboSonic vibration training apparatus is used. The TurboSonic is a training platform which gives mechanical oscillations from 3 to 50 Hertz.
This type of vibration is also known as 'whole-Body-Vibration.' Indeed, the whole body vibrates.
The vibration emanating from the pedestal and conducted throughout the body stimulates muscle fibers (myocytes) with three times the strength of gravity. This causes the muscle fibers to contract and relax with greater strength and speed. These powerful muscle contractions, when repeated with the frequency seen in WBV exercise, enhance muscle strength over a shorter period of time than is feasible with any other form of muscle training. This dramatically enhances flexibility and expedites the recovery of damaged muscles and tendons, making it an athletic trainer's dream machine.
In addition, blood vessels throughout the body are stimulated and circulation is improved. Furthermore, tendons and ligaments, (parts of the body not easily trained) become better toned. The function of intrapelvic muscles and small muscle groups, such as facial muscles, (which cannot be strengthened through conventional weight training exercises) are improved. Exercise involving vibration in the vertical direction also causes greater caloric consumption than regular aerobic exercise does.
The TurboSonic has a positive effect on:
- muscle tissue
- nerves
- blood vessels
- bones
- cartilage
- hormones
- neurotransmitters.
- the frequency of the vibration in Hz
(the number of impulses per second) - the amplitude of the vibration in Mm
(the extent of the movement) - the acceleration of the vibration in G
(the power/force of the movement) - the duration of the vibration in seconds or minutes
(the time one spends on the apparatus) - the position on the apparatus
(the stance one uses on the apparatus)
Exercise involving vibration in the vertical direction also causes greater caloric consumption than regular aerobic exercise.
Whole Body Vibration exercise, in conjunction with conventional muscle exercise, can increase maximum muscle strength by over 30%. It can also reduce the period of training required by 85% and time spent exercising by over 50%. Moreover, unlike in conventional muscle training methods involving the lifting of weights, little additional load is imposed on joints, ligaments, and tendons in WBV exercise. Consequently, the risk of exercise-induced injury is reduced to a negligible level.
back to topQ2 How applicable is the TurboSonic?
A2. The vibration of the TurboSonic gives pulsations to all the tissues in the body, such as bone tissue, nerve tissue, tendon tissue and muscles. The TurboSonic apparatus works in a powerful and effective way. When used correctly, you can achieve extremely positive results. The vibration’s enormous impact makes the TurboSonic a versatile training apparatus, which can be utilized for a great number of applications. Not only is the TurboSonic an apparatus for explosive power training, but it can also be used in a physical therapist’s practice, for instance.
Listed below are some of the many uses of the TurboSonic:
- top level sports
- physical therapy
- rehabilitation
- medical
- fitness
- corporate fitness
- cosmeceutical purposes.
Q3. Can vibration have damaging effects in the long run?
A3. Vibration is a physical phenomenon which can provide enormous power. Extensive research has been done in Scandinavia into the industrial laws and the effect of vibration whilst using, for example, a drill. It appears that only after approximately 2000 hours of continuously using a drill, is there a risk of damage occurring to the joints of the fingers, hands, wrists and elbows. These joints were simply not used to carrying such a heavy load.
Some simple calculations show the following: if we take the longest recommended training protocol, which is a maximum of 10 minutes per day, one can thus do 12,000 sessions on the TurboSonic with no damaging effects. With a session of 10 minutes per day, one could theoretically stand on the TurboSonic every day for more than 32 years!!!
Conversely, the joints of the toes, feet, ankles and knees are much more suitable to carrying heavy loads, i.e. walking, running, sprinting and jumping. Damage is therefore avoided by the very short period of your weight-bearing load on the TurboSonic plate, which is 10 minutes per day at the most.
back to topQ4. In sports, one should try and do specific training; in which case, how applicable is vibration-training in sports?
A4. Generally speaking, the 'specific' aspect of training is often wrongly interpreted. The various developments in top sports show that the 'specific' principle is also losing its relevance. For increased power and explosive energy, most top athletes resort to power training with a variety of training equipment and weights.
Power-training for top athletes can never be really specific, with the exception of weight-lifters. Power-training is the training of the neuromuscular system, in which strengthening the system is essential for certain achievements, but which is not necessarily specific.
Vibration-training with the TurboSonic strengthens the neuro-muscular system. Therefore it improves the conditions necessary in order to reach higher achievements.
Moreover, vibration-training should also be integrated with the training process. You won't become a better football player simply by standing on the TurboSonic, or a better boxer by solely using the TurboSonic. Football players will still have to spend most of their time practicing football, just as boxers will still have to spend most of their training time in the boxing ring. The role of the TurboSonic Trainer is to enhance the training process!!
back to topQ5. When training on the TurboSonic, do the arms also undergo training?
A5. Strangely enough, they do! Most of the users of the TurboSonic say that their arms have become stronger, even though they have not been especially trained. The explanation for this is the enormous impact of the vibration on the whole body ('whole-body-vibration') and the hormonal effect of the vibration-training.
back to topQ6. What is the ideal protocol?
A6. That is almost the same as asking about the ideal food pattern. When setting up a protocol, the following factors are also taken into consideration:
- objective
- state of health (are there any disorders?)
- state of fitness
- body dimension and composition
- percentage of fast muscle fibers
- training program
- individual reaction to vibration.
In addition to all of this, it must also be kept in mind that sport scientists still disagree about the optimal protocol for increased strength by using weights or a variety of training equipment.
The TurboSonic is a training apparatus for which we give a general training protocol. This protocol is based on scientific research which has resulted in excellent results for a large group of people. Nevertheless, an even better result might well be achieved by adapting to each individual’s unique requirements.
With the TurboSonic, there is one principle of which we are certain. It is not a question of the longer and harder we work on the apparatus per session, the better our results will be. This is not true for other types of training and it is certainly not true for vibration-training either.
back to topQ7. Why do we hear or read so little about vibration-training?
A7. This application in sports is "only" twenty years old. It originated in the former Soviet Union, where new developments were always veiled in secrecy. Research into the effects of vibration in sports only started in the West in 1994. Even then, the first years of research produced very little results because the frequency, the amplitude and the acceleration of the apparatus built were not correct. For this reason, it was concluded that vibration was not effective and the principle was, yet again, shelved.
Professor Carmelo Bosco is the individual who provided the great scientific breakthrough with his development of the Vibration device. It is expected that vibration-training will receive more and more attention in the forthcoming years from trainers, scientists, physicians, fitness centers and physical therapists. You will undoubtedly hear and read more about vibration-training in the near future. You can also follow developments about vibration-training and the TurboSonic on our web site.
back to topQ8. Does vibration-training have scientific foundation?
A8. Yes, vibration-training is scientifically supported. In the 1960's, research was done by scientists from the former Soviet Union (Nazarov) and later, by the Israeli scientist, Issurin. They initiated the studies into the applicability and the effects of what we now call 'vibration-training.'
During the past few years, Korea has rediscovered the principle of vibration-training and done further scientific research.
Vibration-training is (removed also) often used in Germany as a clinical treatment. Methods of treatment in Germany are only allowed if the method and methodology are adequately proven. Furthermore, the methods of treatment are constantly being tested by the government authorities. We are unaware of any situations in which vibration-training is not allowed.
In any case, the literature bibliographies show there are sufficient scientific publications in leading journals about vibration-training. From a scientific point of view, one can conclude that vibration-training is sufficiently researched to be scientifically founded.
back to topQ9. Can vibration-training be used by everyone and how safe is it?
A9. Vibration-training can, in principle, be called a safe method of training. Although in the past, there has never been any reason for drawing up contraindications, we feel that care should be taken in using the TurboSonic. Of course there are a few contraindications, such as, pregnancy, heart valve disorders and hip or knee implants, but there are no indications to support that it is unsafe.
Used alone, or as a pre or post-workout complement to traditional strength training and cardiovascular exercise, the TurboSonic provides its conditioning benefits in a fraction of the time that traditional exercise routines require.
Full-body workouts, consisting of movements and positions designed to train the entire body, can be done on the TurboSonic. Since it can train without the physical rigors of traditional exercise, individuals with debilitating conditions can enhance their quality of life and potentially extend it through improved overall fitness. For avid fitness enthusiasts, the TurboSonic enhances traditional exercise regimens.
TurboSonic is a machine which can produce rigidity of the muscle through rapid contraction and vibration motion of the muscle in a short span of time. TurboSonic creates an excessive gravitational state by providing the muscle with a vibration which stimulates the body to utilize its own cellular weight to resist gravity. An example of this is when a muscle tenses while lifting something heavy.
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