Immediate and Chronic Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Neuromuscular Performance and Postural Control in Elderly
Condition: Neuromuscular Performance and Balance
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to analyze the immediate and chronic effects of an exercise
      protocol on the vibration platform on the functional and neuromuscular performance of lower
      limbs, postural control and life quality in healthy elderly.
    

Detailed description: 
      The research is a randomized controlled trial that will be developed at the Laboratório de
      Análise da Performance Muscular (LAPERN) of the Physiotherapy Department of the Federal
      University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). The population of the present study will be formed
      by elderly individuals living in the city of Natal / RN, aged between 65 and 75 years, of
      both sexes, without distinction of race, education and marital status. The research sample
      will be of a non-probabilistic type, in which these will be allocated randomly into two
      distinct groups: placebo group (GP) and experimental group (GE). This research was submitted
      to the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) for UFRN through the national interface Plataforma
      Brasil. The present research contemplates the ethical aspects based on Resolution 466/2012 of
      the National Health Council (CNS) and the Declaration of Helsinki for research with humans.
      In addition, the survey will be recorded in Clinicals Trial. All data will be recorded in a
      database of the laboratory under confidentiality and can only be handled by the responsible
      researchers. The study will only begin after the issuance of the referent opinion approving
      the project. All subjects will be duly informed and instructed regarding the scheduled
      procedures, which will only be executed after reading, accepting and signing the Term of Free
      and Informed Consent (TFIC). After approval by the Research Ethics Committee, following
      resolution 466/2012, a pilot study was carried out aiming at the adequacy of all the research
      procedures, as well as the training of the researchers involved. Initially the research will
      begin with the selection of the sample according to the inclusion criteria descried
      elsewhere. The evaluation will be scheduled by telephone contact. Following this, the
      volunteers will receive the TFIC for reading and due signature. The data collection process
      will take place in four stages: (1) initial evaluation, (2) sample allocation (3) application
      of exercise program and (4) reevaluations. The evaluations will be composed by the
      dynamometric analysis associated with EMG (electromyography), functional performance and
      postural control analysis. The volunteers will be allocated randomly into 2 groups: placebo
      group (with the platform off) or experimental group (with the platform set at a frequency of
      40 Hz and amplitude of 4 mm). Both will participate in a program of exercises in the
      platform, consisting of a static bipodal squat at 40 ° of knee flexion, with 4 sets of 1.5
      min, with a rest interval of 1 minute. Immediately after the first session, 4 and 8 weeks of
      training, the volunteers will be submitted to the new evaluations, with the same procedures
      of the initial evaluation.
    

Intervention name(s): WBV exercise program; Sham WBV exercise program
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The intervention will consist of a 8-week whole-body vibration exercise program with the platform configured at a frequency of 40 Hz and peak-to-peak amplitude of 4 mm. The sessions will be held 2 times a week, consisting of 4 sets of 1 and a half minutes of exercise on the platform. Rest intervals of 1 minute between sets will be respected.; The intervention will consist of a 8-week exercise program, but the platform will remain off at all sessions. A device will be attached to the side of the platform in order to produce a sound, similar to the sound produced by the vibrating platform when it is in operation.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Exercise; Vibration; Torque; Aging