Effects of low-frequency vibration on physiological recovery from exhaustive exercise

Objective: This study examined the effects of low-frequency vibration on physiological recovery from exhaustive exercise. Twelve college males were recruited in this randomized crossover-designed study, and were asked to perform one of three treatments following a graded cycling exercise test: Methods: nonvibration (0 Hz, 0 mm, CON), high-amplitude vibration (8 Hz, 8 mm, HVT), or low-amplitude vibration (8 Hz, 2 mm, LVT). After the 10-min treatment, participants were asked to rest in a supine position for a 1-h recovery. The oxygen uptake, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration (La) were measured during the trials. The oxygen uptake during HVT were significantly higher than those in the CON and LVT (p < 0.05, effect size = 1.52-1.63). The La immediately following HVT was significantly lower than that following CON (HVT vs. CON = 11.52 ± 1.85 vs. 12.95 ± 1.78 mmol·L-1, p < 0.05, effect size = 1.94). Additionally, the Las following HVT and LVT at the post 30-min were significantly lower than that following the CON (HVT vs. LVT vs. CON = 4.72 ± 0.97 vs. 4.58 ± 1.06 vs. 5.98 ± 1.49 mmol·L-1, p < 0.05). No significant differences were found on the HRs, or on the time and frequency domain indices of HR variability among treatments during the recovery period. Results: These results indicated that vibration with low frequency (8 Hz) can facilitate the removal of metabolic by-products after exhaustive exercise, but it has little effect on the autonomic nervous modulation of HR recovery.