Want to find something new to add to your current workout, increasing muscle and bone strength in the process? Then whole body vibration is the thing for you! The fact of the matter is that body vibration has been around for quite a few years, as the initial experiments were performed throughout the 1960’s in Eastern Europe. Russian scientists took these studies to the next level, developing the technology to help regain the loss of muscle strength and bone density in cosmonauts while on space missions. This technology is directly responsible for the Russian Cosmonauts ability to spend 420 days in space.

1993 saw whole body vibration head more into the private circuit when Novotec Medical in Germany continued research in whole body vibration and a system that’s been referred to as the “Galileo” system (“VibraFlex” in the US/Canada). Novotec Medical is credited for creating the world’s first commercial side alternating vibration machine in 1999.

There are basically 2 types of platforms for which whole body vibration is done on the patented Galileo/VibraFlex System, which is the tilting/side-alternating one (ensures vibration is not transferred to the head), and the regular, vertical platform. The results between the two will vary significantly, so be sure to recognize the difference when needed. The outcome for this particular page is in reference to the Galileo/VibraFlex.

Novotec did plenty of its own research in continental Europe and the United Kingdom for the Galileo/VibraFlex System, including the affect of “Vibrostimulation” on an athlete’s performance. The study showed that in 96% of the cases (including men and women, predominantly swimmers and cyclists), a positive effect was present. All studies regarding the long-term effects of the Galileo/VibraFlex System of whole body vibration only improved performance after the 6-month mark.

From a medical point of view, whole body vibration in combination with regular exercise can help prevent bone loss in early post-menopausal women, can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease and even help to regain some movements. Whole body vibration alone has been quoted as “successfully inducing reflex standing” in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Rehabilitation has seen its fair share of improvements with the use of whole body vibration. It’s been used in the treatment of lower back pain comparing it to lumbar extensions. Testing revealed the two different treatments had similar results, but whole body vibration has less of a stress effect on the subjects.

When it comes to working with the elderly, whole body vibration has improved the balance and decreased the fall risk of those falling within the group. It’s even been known to improve the quality of life of the elderly who have been lucky enough to participate in whole body vibration therapy.