Resumen de Effect of Whole Body Vibration Training on Lower Limb Performance in Selected High-Level Ballet Students
Vicenzo Manzi, Stefano D'Ottavio
Annino, G., E. Padua, C. Castagna, V. Di Salvo, S. Minichella, O. Tsarpela, V. Manzi, and S. D'Ottavio. Effect of whole body vibration training on lower limb performance in selected high-level ballet students. J. Strength Cond. Res. 24(1): 1072-1076. 2007.-The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of whole body vibration (WBV) training on vertical jump ability (CMJ) and knee-extensor performance at selected external loads (50, 70, and 100 kg; leg-press exercise) in elite ballerinas. Twenty-two (age, 21.25 ± 1.5 years) full-time ballerinas were assigned randomly to the experimental (E, n = 11) and control (C, n = 11) groups. The experimental group was submitted to WBV training 3 times per week before ballet practice. During the training period, the E and C groups undertook the same amount of ballet practice. Posttraining CMJ performance significantly increased in E group (6.3 ± 3.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, E group showed significant (p < 0.05-0.001) posttraining average leg-press power and velocity improvements at all the external loads considered. Consequently, the force-velocity and power-velocity relationship shifted to the right after WBV training in the E group. The results of the present study show that WBV training is an effective short-term training methodology for inducing improvements in knee-extensor explosiveness in elite ballerinas.
