Effect of Long-Term Whole Body Vibration Training on Visceral Adipose Tissue: A Preliminary Report

• Published in: Obesity facts 2010-01, Vol.3 (2), p.93-100
• Main Authors: Vissers, Dirk, Verrijken, An, Mertens, Ilse, Van Gils, Caroline, Van de Sompel, Annemie, Truijen, Steven, Van Gaal, Luc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Body Composition - physiology; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Combined Modality Therapy; Diet, Reducing; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat - physiology; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Original Article; Overweight - blood; Overweight - diet therapy; Overweight - therapy; Physical Fitness - physiology; Resistance Training - methods; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Triglycerides - blood; Vibration - therapeutic use; Weight Loss - physiology
• ISSN: 1662-4025; 1662-4033
• DOI: 10.1159/000301785

Aim: To determine the effect of whole body vibration (WBV), combined with caloric restriction, on weight, body composition and metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults. Methods: A randomized, controlled study with a 6-month intervention period and a 6-month 'no intervention' follow-up. 61 of the 79 participants completed the study. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months in the control group (CONTROL), the diet only group (DIET), the diet plus fitness group (FITNESS) and the diet plus WBV group (VIBRATION). Results: Weight decreased significantly in all three intervention groups. Only FITNESS and VIBRATION managed to maintain a weight loss of 5% or more in the long term. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) changed most in VIBRATION: –47.8 ± 41.2 and –47.7 ± 45.7 cm2 after 6 and 12 months respectively compared to CONTROL (–3.6 ± 20.5 or +26.3 ± 30.6 cm 2 ), DIET (–24.3 ± 29.8 or –7.5 ± 28.3 cm 2 ) and FITNESS (–17.6 ± 36.6 or –1.6 ± 33.3 cm 2 ) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Combining aerobic exercise or WBV training with caloric restriction can help to achieve a sustained long-term weight loss of 5–10%. These preliminary data show that WBV training may have the potential to reduce VAT more than aerobic exercise in obese adults, possibly making it a meaningful addition to future weight loss programs.