Effect of Short-Term Whole-Body Vibration Training on Metabolic Risk Factors, Inflammatory Markers, and Arterial Stiffness

To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with whole-body vibration (WBV) training on metabolic syndrome risk, and inflammatory markers, and to compare its effects on arterial stiffness and several blood parameters related to metabolic syndrome with those of aerobic training alone. Thirty healthy participants were divided into 2 groups matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Fifteen subjects were assigned to the WBV group (WBV + aerobic training) and the other 15 to the control group (aerobic training only). All participants performed a treadmill exercise 3 days/week for 4 weeks, for 50 min after 30 min rest period. Exercise was performed at a heart rate (HR) corresponding to 60% of the HR at each individual’s maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Body weight and BMI after training were significantly lower than those before training in the WBV group (P < 0.01). Concerning arterial stiffness, the pulse-wave velocity after training was significantly lower than that before training in the WBV group (1048.7 ± 105.6 vs. 1008.4 ± 101.1 cm/s, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the VO2max after training was significantly higher than that before training in the WBV group (47.7 ± 12.8 vs. 51.4 ± 14.1 mL·min-1·kg-1, P < 0.01). However, no significant differences were observed in any parameters before and after training in the control group. Our results suggest that aerobic exercise combined with WBV training may be effective in reducing arterial stiffness and improving cardiorespiratory fitness than aerobic training alone.