Guggenheimer, J. D., Tveden, R., Reyes, G. F., Silvers, W. M., & Dolny, D. G. (2007). Effects of whole-body vibration exposure on 40-meter sprint times. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 1424.

This study evaluated the effects of whole-body vibration exposure during a preconditioning activity on acute sprint performance. Trained male track and field athletes (N = 14) participated in four trials separated by at least 48 hours of rest. Each trial consisted of a dynamic warm-up, followed by four 5-second bouts of running in place with high knees on a vibration platform with frequencies set either at 0 Hz (control condition), 30 Hz, 40 Hz, or 50 Hz (with 30 seconds rest between each). The frequencies were randomized between the four trials for each S. 40 m sprint performance was recorded one and four minutes following the final vibration exposure. Split times were recorded at 10, 20 and 40 m.

No statistically significant differences were found between the first and second sprints for 10, 20 and 40 m split times across all frequencies. In addition, no significant differences were found between sprinting times across all vibration bouts for 10, 20 and 40 m splits.

Implication. Whole-body vibration exposure does not improve sprinting performance.

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