Introduction: Balance plays an important role in daily life, as it is the key to carrying out
daily activities and walking. With age, the ability to regulate balance decreases due to the
decline of physical functions and sensory integration, which is considered a major risk factor
for falls. It can be improved through exercises that challenge balance and improve muscle
performance, and successful exercise methods also include whole – body vibration training.
This uses vibrations to stimulate the muscle spindle, which encourages the muscle to
contract. Purpose: To determine the effects of whole – body vibration training on balance
in older adults by reviewing the scientific and professional literature. Methods: We searched
the literature in the PubMed database using a combination of the key terms "whole – body
vibration AND prevention", "whole – body vibration AND elderly", "whole – body vibration
AND older adults" and "vibration training AND older adults". Results: Five studies were
included in the literature review. In all studies, there was at least one group that performed
a whole – body vibration training programme. A significant improvement in the regulation
of dynamic and static balance and muscle capacity of the lower limbs was found in the
groups that performed this training programme. The greatest improvement was found in the
groups that performed a combined training programme with psychomotor tasks, additional
load and thermotherapy, with escalated training parameters. Discussion and conclusion:
The results show that vibration training on the vibration plate has a positive effect on
improving the balance and muscular performance and endurance of individuals. It can be
enhanced by additional loads and an increase in the vibration parameters, but also by other
physical interventions, such as thermotherapy.
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