Vibration Studies & Research


Disclaimer:TurboSonic is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

The studies referenced herein this web site and listed below are provided for general information only. These independent studies reference the years of research into vibration therapy and training and their research is independent of the TurboSonic technology. These studies have not been evaluated by the FDA. While the use of vibration therapy and training is a still relatively new concept to most health and fitness and medical professionals, it certainly does not suffer from lack of supportive research, and while there is obviously much research yet to be done in the area, the overwhelming consistency of findings from scientific research that currently exists on the subject is a compelling precursor to TurboSonic's potential applications and impact on this revolutionary method of training and treatment. Here are examples of published science, supporting some of Advanced Vibration Technology and claims, including enhanced muscle strength, bone density, hormonal release/circulation and pain reduction.

R E F E R E N C E S
To access references - Go to heading and click on any given link below. All the documents have been supplied in PDF format and can be viewed using either Adobe Acrobat or Apple's Preview application.

Muscles
  1. Influence of Brief Daily tendon Vibration on Rat Soleus Muscle in Non-Weight-Bearing Situation
  2. 2.2 lbs of lean Body Bass increased (Bioimpedance Analysis)
  3. Effects of Whole-body Vibration on DOMS and Comparable Study with Ultrasound Therapy
Bone Density
  1. Anabolism: Low mechanical signals strengthen long bones
  2. The Effects of Whole Body Vibration Exercises on Bone Remodeling of Ovary-Excised Rats
  3. TurboSonic Vertical Whole-Body Vibration Training to Improve the Quality of Life for Seniors in the Areas of Participation, Activities of Daily Living and Mental Health
Strength
  1. Acute and Residual Effects of Vibratory Stimulation on Explosive Strength in Elite and Amateur Athletes
  2. The Use of Vibrations for Enhancing Performance
Oxygen Uptake
  1. Oxygen Uptake in Whole-Body Vibration Exercise: Influence of Vibration Frequency, Amplitude, and External Load
  2. Effects of aerobic exercise by measuring oxygen uptake
Hormones
  1. Hormonal Responses to Whole-Body vibration in Men.
Performance
  1. New Trends In Training Science: The Use Of Vibrations For Enhancing Performance
  2. Whole Body Vibration as a New Method for Exercise-Training Prescription
  3. Clinical Experimental Report on Aerobic Effects of TurboSonic Whole Body Vibration Device
  4. Effects of Whole-body Vibration on DOMS and Comparable Study with Ultrasound Therapy
Motor neurons + Neural Adaptations
  1. Effects of whole body vibration exercise on the functional recovery and on the c-Fos expression in after sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats
  2. The effects of sonic whole body vibration on short-term memory formation and production and death of neurons in cerebral hemorrhage-induced white mice
  3. Whole body vibration exercise on intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 resion of rats
The Elderly
  1. TurboSonic Vertical Whole-Body Vibration Training to Improve the Quality of Life for Seniors in the Areas of Participation, Activities of Daily Living and Mental Health
Wellness & Health
  1. Change in Body Fat - Visceral Fat Scan
Un weighting Studies
  1. 4.2 lbs of Fat Mass lost in 6 sessions! (Bioimpedance Analysis)

Muscles The effect of vibration results in what scientific literature calls 'Tonic Vibration Reflex' or 'TVR'. That is a repeated myotatic reflex or stretch reflex. This means that the vibrated muscle has to work very hard, while the subject or player using TurboSonic® does nothing other than balance on the platform. The effect per pulsation is like that of the knee jerk reflex. This muscle activity can be measured by use of electromyography (EMG). For example, in a one repetition maximum effort, the muscle(s) involved are activated 100% voluntarily. However with vibration training on TurboSonic® the muscles work at 200 to 300% of this IRM activation. This is an ideal way to train, especially when the muscle does not function properly, for example with weakened muscles in the elderly, or after injuries.

Hormones
Research shows that after vibration training (just one session!), there is a high excretion of Testosterone and Growth Hormone. There is also a drop in the stress hormone cortisol. This combination has favorable effects on muscle protein synthesis.

Effect of vibration training on Hormones:
  • Testosterone: + 7%

  • Human Growth Hormone: + 460%

  • Cortisol: - 32%
    (Source: Bosco et al 2000)

Increases in Testosterone and Growth Hormone are important in the functioning of both body and mind. Many complaints of the elderly can be traced to a decrease in these hormones. It is essentially these hormones, together with the female hormone estrogen, which are used to combat geriatric complaints so that it is possible to still enjoy life and vitality even when one has reached old age.

Bones
Bone decalcification (osteoporosis) is one of the biggest health problems especially in the elderly and women population. Many elderly people break their bones more easily when they fall because of bone decalcification; the hip is the most notorious in this respect. The onset of osteoporosis is partly due to a lack of movement, which causes muscles to gradually weaken, the circulation to diminish and the bones to be inadequately used. In addition, as a result of the ageing process, the body produces less hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and growth hormone. Yet it is exactly these hormones which play such an important role in the maintenance of strong bones. The advice usually given to sufferers of this disease is to take more exercise, but that is difficult when muscles are weak, particularly in the legs. TurboSonic® offers a good alternative to vigorous impact exercise: through vibration the muscles automatically become stronger and regain their tone. The circulation improves because the blood vessels in the legs are wide open due to the vibration. At the same time, the pulsation gives a direct stimulus to bone tissue, which in turn stimulates the production of new bone tissue. Scientific research shows that vibration training can help against osteoporosis. Recent findings show that even after only one vibration treatment, there is an increase in the hormone testosterone and growth hormone, which are so essential for strong bones.

Neurotransmitters
Parkinson's disease is an example of a deficiency in dopamine, which is the reason that L-Dopa is given as medicine. It is also recognized that serotonin plays a role in our mood, or frame of mind. A shortage of serotonin in the brain can lead to depression, which is the reason that Prozac is given as a medicine in order to increase the serotonin content in the brain. From research, it appears that vibration training also influences the neurotransmitters and the way in which they work. Vibration training increases the serotonin content in the brain, which could possibly explain why one feels so well after vibration training.

Blood Vessels
The effect of vibration training on the blood vessels is clear to see and to feel. After training, one often sees that the skin of the lower leg is colored pink. This is a sign that the blood vessels in that area are wide open. It also explains the feeling which many describe as: coming home after a snowball fight with your bare hands, and then putting your hands in a bucket of warm water. A tingling feeling which indicates that your blood vessels are wide open. In Germany, the effect of vibration training is used as therapy for a disturbed peripheral circulation, particularly in the lower legs, such as in chronic venous insufficiency.

Nervous System The effect on the muscles is flexively activated via the nervous system. With vibration training, it seems as if pulsations awaken the nerve tract, which could explain the positive effects of vibration training in partial paralysis. In fact, good results have been reported in the experimental treatment of, for example, MS patients.

Cartilage
It is already recognized that intermittent pressure stimulates optimal functioning of the cartilage. This cause the synovial fluid, or synovia, to be repeatedly pumped between the cartilage, just like a sponge which is constantly squeezed under water. This intermittent pressure maintains and improves cartilage function.