Effect of Long-Term Whole Body Vibration Training on Visceral Adipose Tissue: A Preliminary Report

Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010

Article (PDF 271 KB)

Original Article

Effect of Long-Term Whole Body Vibration Training on Visceral Adipose Tissue: A Preliminary Report
Dirk Vissers^a,b,c, An Verrijken^b,c, Ilse Mertens^c, Caroline Van Gils^c, Annemie Van de Sompel^c, Steven Truijen^a, Luc Van Gaal^b,c

^a Department of Health Sciences – Physiotherapy, University College of Antwerp,
^b Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp,
^c Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

Address of Corresponding Author

Obes Facts 2010;3:93-100 (DOI: 10.1159/000301785)

Key Words

Exercise therapy
Metabolic syndrome X
Overweight
Vibration
Visceral adipose tissue

Summary

Aim: To determine the effect of whole body vibration (WBV), combined with caloric restriction, on weight, body composition and metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults. Methods: A randomized, controlled study with a 6-month intervention period and a 6-month ‘no intervention’ follow-up. 61 of the 79 participants completed the study. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months in the control group (CONTROL), the diet only group (DIET), the diet plus fitness group (FITNESS) and the diet plus WBV group (VIBRATION). Results: Weight decreased significantly in all three intervention groups. Only FITNESS and VIBRATION managed to maintain a weight loss of 5% or more in the long term. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) changed most in VIBRATION: –47.8 ± 41.2 and –47.7 ± 45.7 cm2 after 6 and 12 months respectively compared to CONTROL (–3.6 ± 20.5 or +26.3 ± 30.6 cm²), DIET (–24.3 ± 29.8 or –7.5 ± 28.3 cm²) and FITNESS (–17.6 ± 36.6 or –1.6 ± 33.3 cm²) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Combining aerobic exercise or WBV training with caloric restriction can help to achieve a sustained long-term weight loss of 5–10%. These preliminary data show that WBV training may have the potential to reduce VAT more than aerobic exercise in obese adults, possibly making it a meaningful addition to future weight loss programs.

Author Contacts

Prof. Dr. Luc Van Gaal, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium, Tel. +32 3 82-13266, Fax -54980, luc.van.gaal@uza.be

Article Information

Published online: April 7, 2010
Number of Print Pages : 8

Cited in Web of Science®

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