Synchronous whole-body vibration increases VO2 during and following acute exercise

Single bout whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise has been shown to produce small but significant increases in oxygen consumption (VO2). How much more a complete whole-body exercise session (multiple dynamic exercises targeting both upper and lower body muscles) can increase VO2 is unknown. The purpose of this study was to quantify VO2 during and for an extended time period (24 h) following a multiple exercise WBV exercise session versus the same session without vibration (NoV). VO2 of healthy males (n = 8) was measured over 24 h on a day that included a WBV exercise session versus a day with the same exercise session without vibration (NoV), and versus a control day (no exercise). Upper and lower body exercises were studied (five, 30 s, 15 repetition sets of six exercises; 1:1 exercise:recovery ratio over 30 min). Diet was controlled. VO2 was 23% greater (P = 0.002) during the WBV exercise session versus the NoV session (62.5 ± 12.0 vs. 50.7 ± 8.2 L O2) and elicited a higher (P = 0.033) exercise heart rate versus NoV (139 ± 6 vs. 126 ± 11 bpm). Total O2 consumed over 8 and 24 h following the WBV exercise was also increased (P < 0.010) (240.5 ± 28.3 and 518.9 ± 61.2 L O2) versus both NoV (209.7 ± 22.9 and 471.1 ± 51.6 L O2) and control (151.4 ± 20.7 and 415.2 ± 51.6 L O2). NoV was also increased versus control (P < 0.003). A day with a 30-min multiple exercise, WBV session increased 24 h VO2 versus a day that included the same exercise session without vibration, and versus a non-exercise day by 10 and 25%, respectively.