Annals of Applied Sport Science

Background. This study aimed to provide patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an intervention based on whole-body vibration training (WBVT), examine pulmonary function and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to improve the physical capacity of these patients, and suggest an efficient approach to managing these patients in practice.
Methods. A clinical sample of 22 patients with severe COPD was randomly assigned to either Experimental Group I (n=12), which performed squat exercises in combination with WBVT, or Experimental Group II (n=10), which served squat exercises alone. The intervention programs were administered over four weeks, with ten repetitions per set, three sets per session, one session per day, and three days per week.
Results. In Experimental Group I, within-group changes pre-and post-intervention were significant for the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, F3, and F4, whereas no within-group changes in pulmonary function, EEG, or 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performance were observed in Experimental Group II. Significant between-group differences were observed in the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, and F4 (P<0.05).
Conclusion. Exercise combined with WBVT was a safe and effective strategy to counteract the loss of musculoskeletal function in patients with COPD. Additional research is needed to develop protocols for the combination of WBVT and pulmonary function intervention programs.

Background. While the increased interest in exercise programs combined with whole-body vibration training (WBVT) and those using blood flow restriction (BFR) has prompted various ongoing studies, most of these studies are fragmentary.
Objectives. The study aims to investigate the effect of WBVT with BFR on lower limb muscle activity and hemodynamic variables to maintain muscle strength and prevent degenerative loss of skeletal muscle.
Methods. Twenty-one undergraduate students were randomized into Group I (n=10), performing a squat exercise with WBVT, and Group II, (n=11), performing a squat exercise with WBVT with BFR at the 140-mmHg pressure level. The intervention was applied twice daily and 4 times weekly for 6 weeks. Both groups took the anthropometric, body mass, and lower limb muscle activity measurements before and after the intervention.
Results. In the within-group comparison before and after the intervention, significant differences in rectus femoris muscle (RFM), biceps femoris muscle (BFM), and gastrocnemius muscle activities were found for Groups I (p<0.05) and II (p<0.05). The between-group comparison found significant differences in RFM and BFM activities (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in hemodynamic variables both within and between groups.
Conclusions. The WBVT with BFR increased the RFM and BFM activities for lower limbs, while no variation in hemodynamic parameters was detected. The intervention is thus an effective strategy that can be applied in practice. Based on the findings, the scope of the intervention should be extended to include non-healthy individuals. Further studies of the multidimensional approach should also be conducted with additional variables to provide supporting evidence for the discussion of hemodynamic responses.