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Feel the vibration
Sydney Seniors editor Jana Pearce tries the new Power-Plate treatment and gives it the thumbs up. Here’s what she has to say:
As I've seen so many of these wonder treatments come and go, I was cynical about committing myself to try out the new Power-Plate whole body vibration (WBV) training. However, as I have been suffering from a very sore and stiff neck for years, and a painful knee for the past six months, I was ready to try anything.
Keeping an open mind was difficult as the questioning journalist in me just kept saying "It won't work. How can standing on a vibrating machine help?" |
When I was in my 30s I did heavy sessions of weight training and the words "no pain, no gain" kept popping into my head. How can a machine that causes me no pain whatsoever, be of any use?"
Well, I am glad I kept an open mind because the Power-Plate session was nothing short of amazing. After a few minutes on the machine, which gives a pleasant tingling sensation all over, I felt completely relaxed, my neck felt more flexible, and the pain in my knee felt improved.
I didn't have to get change into gym clothes and other than following Power-Plate trainer Michelle's instructions, I didn't have to do anything - definitely my kind of exercise.
When I woke the next morning, my neck felt better than it had felt in years, and instead of tippling myself out of bed onto my good leg for support, I was actually able to stand up without any problem or pain.
I am not a morning person but I had an improved feeling of wellbeing. Maybe it was relief that finally I had less pain, or maybe a good night's sleep?
I don't know whether it is a co-incidence, but since the Power-Plate session, I have steadily improved. I am walking a lot more, my knee is more flexible, and I am gaining more confidence to return to normal activities.
It is remarkable and I really feel Power-Plate worked to help me. At this stage, I haven't returned for more Power-Plate treatments as my work schedule has been so busy - but I definitely will. I will keep you updated. |
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Journal report
The Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research has published the findings of a six-month study whole on the effect of WBV on hip density, muscle strength and postural control in test group of 70 volunteers age 58 - 74 years.
The study found that after the 24 weeks of the WBV program, hip bone density was significantly increased, and muscle strength improved by around 15 per cent. This study concluded that WBV training may be an effective and feasible way to modify risk factors for falls and fractures in older women. |
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How it works
The human body has natural reflexes such as the eye-lid reflex, the touch reflex and the stretch reflex. The stretch reflex is like a doctor taping your knee with a hammer, and causing a reflex that extends the leg. When you stand on the Power-Plate, its platform vibrates. These vibrations send a message to your brain, which causes your muscles to contract involuntarily - this is a special stretch reflex called the Tonic Vibration Reflex.
The special vibrating platform stretches the muscles, which activate tonic vibration reflexes. Because the Power-Plate vibrates at 30 to 50 times per second, these involuntary muscle contractions happen at the same speed.
Not only will your muscles contract and relax at very high speed, but also the amount of muscle fibres in every single muscle involved exceeds the amount of muscle tissue utilised in regular training. This also means that the deeper posture and stabilising muscles, such as the spinal muscles and the pelvic basin muscle, that are normally hard to train, can be stimulated.
Just 15 minutes of Power-Plate per session, two or three times a week, is enough to achieve your desired results. Most people still believe that getting fitter is about the duration of the training, but it's the intensity of the training that gives the result. By assuming various positions on the Power-Plate you can stimulate different muscles and muscle groups. |
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