Metabolic responses to whole-body vibration exercise.

Abstract

The key substrates in human energy metabolism are ATP, phosphocreatine, glucose, carbohydrates, and lipids. While phosphocreatine and glucose allow some limited generation of ATP in the absence of oxygen, the bulk of ATP generation is through the oxidative phosphorylation of carbohydrates and lipids. Accordingly, measurement of oxygen uptake (VO2) by spirometry is straightforward for the assessment of the body’s energy metabolism. A large number of studies demonstrate that VO2 is increased during WBV and that this increase is systematically dependent on vibration amplitude and frequency. Further studies demonstrate that skeletal muscle is responsible for the increase in VO2. However, the effect is quite moderate in itself and, hence, probably irrelevant to long-term energy balance. A small number of studies suggest that WBV shifts energy metabolism toward utilization of carbohydrates and that it may enhance excess postexercise VO2. However, more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.