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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(6): 461-466
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1112141
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neuromuscular Ankle Joint Stabilisation after 4-weeks WBV Training

M. Melnyk 1 , C. Schloz 1 , S. Schmitt 2 , A. Gollhofer 1
  • 1Department of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2Department of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 17, 2008

Publication Date:
10 March 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Whole body vibration (WBV) training is increasingly implemented in prevention programs as well as in rehabilitation protocols but evidence for beneficial effects of WBV training over several weeks on ankle joint stabilisation is lacking. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of 4-weeks WBV training on reflex activity of the long peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles and on the duration of ankle inversion movement in response to an unexpected combined 24° inversion 15° plantar flexion ankle joint motion. Twenty-six healthy subjects were divided into an intervention group (n=16) and a control group (n=10). The intervention group trained thrice weekly for 3 min on a unidirectional oscillating vibration platform (30 Hz, 4 mm amplitude). Pre and post intervention reflex activity were measured and the duration of ankle joint movement was calculated by vertical ground reaction forces. After four weeks of WBV training no significant changes were found in latencies and reflex activity in both muscles in response to ankle sprain simulation. Similar results were observed for the time of ankle inversion motion. Based on the present results, it is unlikely that 4-weeks WBV training has beneficial effects on ankle joint stability in the case of an ankle inversion motion.

Key words

ankle sprain simulation - whole-body vibration training - reflex activation - ankle musculature - time of ankle inversion motion

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Correspondence

Dr. M. Melnyk

Department of Sport and Sport Science

University of Freiburg

Schwarzwaldstraße 175

79117 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: +49/761/203 45 59

Fax: +49/761/203 45 34

Email: mark.melnyk@unibas.ch

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