Aside from a balanced diet, exercise is the key to a healthy life. But as we age, adding physical activity to our routine eventually becomes a challenge. The weakening of bones and loss of muscle mass are two of the natural consequences of aging that make one more prone to falls and fractures, preventing the elderly from engaging in more intense physical activities and decreasing their overall fitness level. It is therefore desirable for the elderly to find a series of physical activities that can keep their muscles and bones strong and help them maintain a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health without requiring too much effort and without putting their health at risk. Fortunately, whole body vibration is a safe alternative to conventional workouts and can be practiced by the elderly for both fitness and therapeutic purposes. Whole body vibration (WBV) is the type of physical activity that is performed on the vibration machine. Studies have shown that the elderly who work out on the vibration platform exercise machine can obtain significant health benefits. In the following article, I will list six main health benefits that a vibration platform exercise machine can bring to the elderly. Please keep reading.
1. Stress-free muscle strengthening
As we grow older, our muscles and bones weaken, making strength training essential. Younger adults can counter these with weightlifting and similar exercises. However, the elderly are likely to injure themselves when doing conventional workouts, especially when you already have pre-existing health conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Performing exercises with no vibration tends to heighten stress hormones among the elderly. The vibration platform exercise machine is then one way to address this. The vibrating exercise machine can strengthen the muscles of the elderly without hurting the joints. What's more, it can also help the elderly to prevent soreness after exercise.
2. Enhanced protection against osteoporosis
It is easier for older people to contract all sorts of diseases. One of which is osteoporosis, where there is a significant loss of bone mass. This condition makes the bones too weak or brittle to withstand even minor bumps or stresses. There are medications available to treat osteoporosis or reduce bone loss and fracture risks. But exercising on the vibration platform exercise machine also shows promise in fighting the disease. A vibration plate is very beneficial for treating osteoporosis. Research findings showed that whole-body vibration improves bone mineral density, particularly in the lumbar spine and hips. In a 2016 study, researchers also concluded that vibration exercise is a viable non-drug therapy for managing osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.
3. Improved body balance and stability
When the elderly lose their balance, they are more prone to falls, fractures and lengthy rehabilitation. Worse, they become less independent, making them feel helpless and depressed. Whole-body vibration training is one way to avoid these physical and mental issues. As your body attempts to stay upright on the vibration machine, your leg muscles work and change their structure. With a strengthened lower extremity, you gain more control over your body. A randomized controlled trial conducted by Belgian researchers on 42 elders investigated the effects of 6 weeks of vibration workouts and physical therapy on gait, body balance, quality of life and motor capacity. Results showed improvements in balance and gait score for the whole body vibration group, this form of exercise being a good solution for reducing the risk of fall and improving the quality of life in the elderly.
4. Improved endurance and body composition
12 weeks of whole body vibration exercise was shown to improve the hip and waist size, to lower the heart rate and increase endurance in the static squat test, as well as to improve the walking times in 38 veterans averaging 62 years old, all of them suffering from at least one chronic disease. These results are very important, as people tend to become less active with age and the sedentary lifestyle affects both the endurance and the amount of body fat, respectively lean muscle mass. By exercising on the vibration platform exercise machine, these parameters can be maintained within healthy limits.
5. Reduced lower back pains and better immunity
Although lower back pains among the elderly are often due to pre-existing health conditions, reduced activity or prolonged sitting may also be probable causes. By balancing on the vibration plate, the elderly get to improve their posture, strengthen their muscles and, eventually, reduce lower back pains. The release of the relaxing hormone endorphin during vibration exercise is also a contributing factor. This hormone brings pain and stress levels down, making the elderly more active and productive. Transmission of vibration also improves blood flow, which enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body. Keeping white blood cells flowing also ensures immunity is up to combat all sorts of ailments.
6. Reduced arterial stiffness
Whole body vibration was shown to be a convenient form of physical activity for the elderly, and to exert beneficial effects on muscles and bones. However, a study published in the journal Clinical interventions in aging showed that exercising on the vibration platform exercise machine is also effective in reducing arterial stiffness without changing the blood pressure or heart rate.
No matter your age group, the vibration plate can provide excellent health benefits. But for the elderly, it is a safe alternative to traditional exercises. I believe that after reading this article you will be able to understand a few of the main health benefits it can bring to the elderly.