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Table 1 Study characteristics of the included studies

From: Effects of whole-body vibration on proxies of muscle strength in old adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of physical capacity level

Study

Participants (N, sex distribution); mean age (± SD)

Protocol exercise

Outcome measures

Within GE

Between GE

(yes/no)

(yes/no)

Vertical sinusoidal vibration

Amaral et al. [78]

WBV: 9 ♀; 76.6 (±11.8)

WBV: isometric squat

FS: CR over 30 s

No

No

Con: 9 ♀; 78.6 (±10.4)

Con: daily activities routines

Álvarez- Barbosa et al. [62]

WBV: 15, 12 ♀; 84.0 (±3.0)

WBV: dynamic exercise lunge, squat, calf raises, left and right pivot in a front and lateral position, step up and down.

FS: CR over 30 s

Yes

Yes

Con: 15, 11 ♀; 86.0 (±7.5)

Con: no change lifestyle

Bautmans et al. [34]

WBV: 10, 8 ♀; 76.6 (±11.8)

WBV: static position exercises (lunge squats, squats, deep squats, wide stance squats, calves, calves deep) druing WBV

DS: (N)

Yes

NO

Power: (W), work (J)

Sham: 11, 6 ♀; 78.6 (±10.4)

RFD: (N/s) at 40 and 60 cm/s

Beck et al. [35]

WBV: 15 ♀; 68.5 (±8.6)

Pos: full extension

FS: wall squat with dominant leg and non dominant leg & CR over five repetitions (s)

Yes

No

Con: 15 ♀; 74.2 (±8.1)

Con: no vibration

Bogaerts et al. [37]

WBV: 25 ♂; 66.9 (±0.7)

WBV: squat, deep squat, wide stance squat, toesstand, toes-stand deep, one-legged squat, and lunge.

IMVC: knee extension (Nm)

Yes

Yes

Ex: 25 ♂; 67.4 (±0.9)

Con: 32 ♂; 68.6 (±1.0)

Ex: cardio exercise, strength and balance training, flexibility exercise

RFD: CMJ (cm) on a contact mat.

Con: no change lifestyle

Bogaerts et al. [38]

WBV: 70; 66.8

WBV: exercises for upper and lower body

IMVC: knee extension (Nm)

Yes

No

Ex: 49: 66.8

Ex: cardio exercise, strength and balance training, flexibility exercise

Con: 61; 67.8 (ratio ♂:♀ = 1.5:1 for the total sample)

Con: no change life style

Boegarts [36]

WBV 1: 26 ♀; 80.3 (±5.3)

WBV: squat, deep squat, wide stance squat, toes stand and one legged squat

Physiological Profile Assessment [76]:

Yes

No

WBV 2: 28 ♀; 79.8 (±5.3)

Con 1 & 2: no change life style

IMVC: knee extension (kg)

Con 1: 29 ♀; 78.7 (±5.6)

Con 2: 28 ♀; 79.6 (±5.2)

Corrie et al. [65]

WBV: 21, 13 ♀; 81.9 (±5.7)

WBV: standing position, with bent knees and Otago Exercise programm

Power: (W/kg body weight) leg press

Yes (power & CR)

Yes (power)

Sham: 20, 16 ♀; 79.1 (±7.8)

Sham: Otago Exercise program which consisted of 6 weekly visits

RFD: CMJ (N/kg body weight

FS: CR over five repetitions

Gomez-Cabello [42]

WBV: 24

WBV: squat position

Senior Fitness Test battery and Eurofit Testing Battery [77]:

Yes

No

Con: 25 (20 ♂, 29 ♀)

Con: no change life style

FS: CR over 30 s (repetition)

Kemmler et al. [44]

WBV: 50 ♀; 68.8 (±3.6)

WBV: static and dynamic exercise (toe stand, squat)

IMVC: leg press (N)

Yes

Yes

Ex: 50 ♀; 68.6 (±3.0)

Ex: static and dynamic exercise (toe stand, squat) without vibration

Power: leg press (W/kg)

Con: 51 ♀; 68.1 (±2.7)

Con: exercise and relaxation program once a week (30× 60 min)

RFD: leg press (N/ms) & Squat jump (jump height, cm)

Kennis et al. [45]

WBV: 23 ♂

WBV: static and dynamic squat, deep squat, wide stance squat, 1-legged squat, lunge, toes-stand, toes-stand deep, moving heels.

IMVC: at 120° knee extension (Nm)

Yes

No

Ex: 20 ♂

Con: 29 ♂

Ex: 60–90 min aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises

DS: concentric dynamic knee extension (Nm) at a movement velocity at 120°/s.

Con: no change life style

RFD: counter movement jump (high, cm)

Klarner et al. [46]

WBV: 36 ♀; 68.1 (±4.0)

WBV: dynamic exercises

IMVC: with leg press (N)

Yes

Yes

Con: 36 ♀; 67.6 (±4.13)

Con: 1/w low gymnastic exercise & relaxation exercise

RFD: with Counter movement jump (CMJ, jump height, cm)

Lachance [47]

WBV: 26; 70.4 (±7.7)

WBV: static squats (60°), lunges (60°) and heel raises.

FS: CR over 30 s

Yes

No

Ex: 29; 75.9 (±7.2)

Ex: static squats (60°), lunges (60°) heel raises, bicep curls, tricep extensions,

(33 ♂, 22 ♀)

Exercises were progressive in nature by safely increasing the number of repetitions completed and/or weight of the dumbbells.

Leung et al. [66]

WBV: 280 ♀; 74.2 (±7.0)

WBV: standing upright without knee banding

IMVC: knee extensor (kg)

Yes

Yes

Con: 316 ♀; 71.0 (±7.0)

Non: no change life style

Machado et al. [48]

WBV: 13 ♀; 79.3 (±7.3)

WBV: static and dynamic exercise (half-squat (120–130°), deep squat (knee angle 90°), a wide-stance squat and calves.

IMVC: leg extensor (N)

Yes

Yes

Con: 13 ♀; 76.2 (±8.4)

Con: no change life style

Power: output at three relatives loads: 20, 40, 60 % of the IMVC.

Mikhael et al. [49]

WBV1: 6, 4 ♀; 63.3 (±7.6)

WBV: WBV1 with flexed knees at 20° and WBV 2 with extended knees.

DS: one repetition maximum (1RM) leg press (N), relative strength (kg/kg), leg press strength (kg)

Yes

Yes

WBV2: 5, 3 ♀; 69.0 (±7.6)

Sham: flexed knees at 20° without vibration

Power: (W) and velocity (cm/s) were measured at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 % of current 1RM.

Sham: 8, 4 ♀; 62.3 (±8.8)

FS : CR over 30 s

Roelants et al. [53]

WBV: 30 ♀; 64.6 (±0.7)

WBV: high squat (120° and 130°, deep squat (90°), wide-stance squat and lunge.

IMVC: (0°/s) torque (Nm) of knee extensor

Yes

No

Ex: 30 ♀; 63.9 (±0.8)

Ex: resistance exercise

DS: dynamic extension-flexion movements (torque: N/m) between 90 and 160° at a velocity of 50, 100 and 150°/s.

Con: 29 ♀; 64.2 (±0.6)

Con: no change life style

RFD: jump height (mm) on a contact mat

Sitjà-Rabert et al. [64]

WBV: 59; 64.6 (±0.7)

WBV: static/dynamic exercises.

FS: CR over five repetitions

Yes

No

Ex: 58; 63.9 (±0.8)

Ex: static and dynamic exercise

(Total sample 67 % ♀)

Verschueren et al. [58]

WBV: 25 ♀; 64.6 (±3.3)

WBV: static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises like squat, deep squat, wide-stance squat, one-legged squat and lunge.

IMVC: knee-extension

Yes

Yes

Ex: 22 ♀; 63.9 (±3.8)

Ex: warm-up, resistance training knee-extensor on a leg extension and a leg press machine. Designed to the guideline of the American College of Sports Medicine

DS: isokinetic extension-flexion movements for maximal DS (peak torque N/m) at a velocity of 100°/s between of 90 and 160° joint angle.

Con: 24 ♀; 64.2 (±3.1)

Con: no change life style

Verschueren et al. [57]

WBV: 28 ♀; 79.8 (±5.3)

WBV: static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises like squat, deep squat, wide-stance squat, one-legged squat and toe-stance.

IMVC: Knee-extension (Nm)

Yes

No

Con: 28 ♀; 79.6 (±5.2)

Con: no change in life style

DS: Knee-extension (Nm).

Sidealternating sinusoidal vibration

Beck et al. [35]

WBV: 17 ♀; 68.9 (±70)

Pos: static with slightly bended knees

FS: wall squat dominant leg (DL) and non dominant leg (NDL) & CR over five repetitions (s)

Yes =

No

Con: 15 ♀; 74.2 (±8.1)

Con: no vibration

Calder et al. [39]

N: 41, 30 ♀; 80.1

WBV: stand with slightly bended knees (35° flexion) & Physiotherapy

FS: CR

Yes

No

Con: Physiotherapy

Corrie et al. [65]

WBV: 21, 16 ♀; 81.9 (±5.7)

WBV: standing position, with bent knees and Otago Exercise

Power: (W/kg body weight) leg press

No

No

Sham: 20, 8 ♀; 79.1 (±7.8)

Sham: Otago Exercise program which consisted of 6 weekly visits

RFD: CMJ (N/kg body weight

FS: CR over five repetitions

Furness and Maschette [40]

WBV1: 18 (1/week)

WBV: static with 70 knee flexion

FS: CR

Yes (for WBV2 and WBV3)

No

WBV2: 18 (2/week)

Con: no vibration

WBV3: 19 (3/week)

Age: 72 (±8)

Con: 18 (0/wk)

(Total sample 38 ♂, 35 ♀)

Furness et al. [41]

WBV: 19

WBV: static with 70° Kneeflexion

FS: CR

Yes

No

Con: 18

Con: no exercise

(Total sample 16 ♂, 21 ♀)

Iwamoto et al. [43]

WBV: 26 ♀; 72.4 (±8.1)

WBV: stands with bended knee and hips

FS: CR over 5 times

Yes

No

Con: 26 ♀; 76.0 (±7.4)

Con. No exercise

Klarner et al. [40]

WBV: 36 ♀; 67.9 (±3.78)

WBV: dynamic exercises

IMVC: Hip & Knee extension (N)

Yes

Yes

Con: 36 ♀; 67.6 (±4.13)

Con: 1/w low gymnastic exercise & relaxation exercise

RFD: CMJ (jump height, cm)

Ochi et al. [67]

WBV: 10 ♀; 80.9 (±2.8)

WBV: dynamic exercises

IMVC: Quadiceps muscle dominant leg

Yes

No

Ex: 10 ♀; 80.2 (±3.3)

Con: dynamic exercise: half squat, heel rise, toe up.

Raimundo et al. [50]

WBV: 14 ♀; 66 (±6)

WBV: static with knee angle 120°

DS: dynamic maximal unilateral strength at 60 and 300 °/s for concentric and eccentric at 60 °/s (Peak torque (Nm/kg).

Yes

Yes

Ex: 13 ♀; 66 (±4)

Ex: walk-based-programme

Power (W).

Walking over 60 m with two sets with 70–75 % of their maximal heart rate.

RFD: mixed counter movement jump on

Ergo Jump Platform (Bosco System, Italy)

FS: CR over three repetitions.

Rees et al. [51]

WBV: 15; 74.3 (±5.0)

WBV: static squats over 4 weeks, than dynamic squats and calf raises over 4 weeks.

DS: angular velocity 60°/s for knee and hip and the angle joint was tested at 30 °/s.

Yes

Yes

Ex: 13; 73.1 (±4.1)

Ex: static squats over 4 weeks, than dynamic squats and calf raises over 4 weeks, without vibration.

FS: CR over five repetition

Con: 15; 73.1 (±4.6)

(Total sample 23 ♂, 20 ♀)

Rees et al. [52]

WBV: 15; 74.3 (±5.0)

Con: only walking WBV: static and dynamic exercise (squats, calf raises)

DS: as torque (Nm/kg)

Yes

No

Ex: 13; 73.1 (±4.1)

Ex: same exercise without vibration

maximum isokinetic power (W/kg) angular velocity for the hip and knee was 60°/s, with the ankle joint tested at 30°/s.

(No sex distribution information)

Russo et al. [55]

WBV: 17 ♀

WBV: static, knees slightly flexed

DS: strength (N), acceleration of the centre of gravity (COG) was calculated as the ratio of force (N) and body mass (kg).

Yes

No

Age: 60.7 (±6.1)

Con: no change in life style

RFD: starting from a standstill, jumped as high as possible and landed (W).

Con: 16 ♀

Age: 61.4 (±7.3)

Sievänen et al. [61]

WBV: 8, 7 ♀

WBV: dynamic exercise such as slight squatting, toe raises, lateral weigth transfer.

FS: SPPB

Yes

NO

Age: 84.4 (±6.3)

Ex: light squatting, toe raises or weight transfer forward and lateral weight transfer on WBV.

Sham: 7, 5 ♀

Age: 83.6 (±8.9)

Stolzenberg et al. [56]

WBV: 30 ♀; 67.5 (±3.8)

WBV: static standing with slightly bent knees and hips, continuous squatting from erect standing to 90° knee flexion or static stance in 90° knee flexion

Power: CMJ (W/kg)

Yes

No

Con: 30 ♀; 65.5 (±4.3)

Con: balance exercise like Romberg, tandem and single-leg stance.

RFD: CMJ jump height (cm)

FS: 1-leg hopping and CR over five repetitions

von Stengel et al. [59]

WBV: 50♀; 68.8 (±3.6)

WBV: heel rise, one-legged deep squat, and leg abduction

MVC: leg press (N)

Yes

Yes

Ex: 50 ♀; 68.6 (±3.0)

Ex: heel rise, one-legged deep squat, and leg abduction without vibration

RFD: CMJ (W/Kg)

Con: 51 ♀; 68.1 (±2.7)

Con: exercise and relaxation program once a week in blocks of 10 weeks with breaks

Zhang et al. [60]

WBV: 19, 2 ♀; 85.8 (±3.6)

WBV: different to their function. Who could stand: partial squat position with slight hip, knee and ankle joint flexion. Who could not stand independently, same position, but were allowed to hold the support bar with their hands.

IMVC: M. quadriceps

Yes

Yes

Con: 18, 3 ♀; 84.7 (±3.7)

Ex: usual care, physical therapy (ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, etc.) and routine exercises, such as pedalling training with regular dosage and time of treatments.

FS: CR over 30 s

Stochastic resonance vibration

Kessler et al. [23]

WBV: 10, 8 ♀; 77 (±7.7)

static (e.g. normal stance, semi-tandem, one leg stance) and dynamic standing (e.g. squat)

IMVC: knee-extension (N)

Yes

Yes

Sham:10, 8 ♀; 81 (±5.7)

RFD: knee-extension (N/s)

FS: SPPB

Rogan et al. [54]

WBV: 10; 77 (±7.7)

static standing with slightly bent knees and hips

FS: CR (1 time)

Yes

No

Sham:10; 81 (±5.7)

(No sex distribution information)

Rogan et al. [20]

WBV: 5; 77 (±7.7)

static standing with slightly bent knees and hips

IMVC: knee-extension (N)

Yes

No

Sham: 4; 81 (±5.7)

RFD: knee-extensor (N/s)

(Total sample 4 ♂, 5 ♀)

FS: SPPB

  1. Abbreviation: Con control group, EX exercise group, Sham sham group; SD standard deviation, GE group effests, mo month, wk week, WBV whole-body vibration, Pos position, s seconds, IMVC isometric maximal voluntary contraction, DS dynamic maximal strength, RFD rate of force development, FS functional strength, CR chair rising, CMJ counter movement jump, SPPB Short Physical Performance Battery Test, cm centimetre, mm millimetre, N newton; N/s Newton/seconds, Nm Newton-metre, Nm/kg Newton-meter/kilogram, N/ms Newton/milliseconds, kg kilogram, J Joule, W watt, W/kg watt/kilogram