Published Power Plate® Studies

Bautmans, I., Van Hees E, Lemper J, Mets T.
The feasibility of whole body vibration in institutionalised elderly persons and its influence on muscle performance, balance and mobility: a randomised, controlled trial.
BMC Geriatrics, Dec; 5:17, 2005

This study shows that in nursing home residents with limited functional dependency, six weeks of static Power Plate training is feasible, and beneficial for balance and mobility.

Bazett-Jones, D, Holmes, W., and Dugan, E
Comparing the effects of various whole-body vibration acceleration on counter-movement jump performance.
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 7, pp:144-150, 2008
The purpose of this study was to determine which Power Plate intensity has the greatest effect on height of a vertical jump and the duration of that affect, if any exists.

Results show that one 45 seconds bout of Power Plate at 2.94g (40 Hz, 2-4 mm) seems to be the most effective stimulus for this female population, which did not include elite athletes. Males may require a greater duration or volume of vibration exposure to elicit greater effects.

Bogaerts, A, Verschueren, S, Delecluse, Claessens, A, L, and S. Boonen
Effects of whole body vibration training on postural control in older individuals: A 1 year randomized controlled trial.
Gait & Posture, 26, 309-316, 2007

This study shows that 12 months of Power Plate training with older individuals leads to a reduced fall frequency, most notably in the most challenging condition (with eyes closed on a moving platform).

Bogaerts, A, Verschueren, S, Delecluse, Claessens, A, L, Coudyzer, W and Boonen S.
Impact of Whole-Body Vibration Training Versus Fitness Training on Muscle Strength and Muscle Mass in Older Men: A 1-Year Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of Gerontology: MEDICAL SCIENCES, Vol. 62A, No. 6, 630–635, 2007

This study shows that 12 months Power Plate training with community-dwelling older men increased upper leg muscle strength and muscle mass. Being able to reverse the age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass, referred to as sarcopenia and generally considered to be a major public health concern in older individuals, may contribute in reducing the risk of contracting several age-related chronic disorders or even to prevent them (e.g. osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, arthritis).

Cormie, P, Deana, R, Travis Triplett, N, and McBride, J.
Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Muscle Activity, Strength, and Power.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 20(2), 257–261, 2006

The result of this study was that an increased jump height can be recorded immediately after the vibration treatment compared to the sham (no vibration) treatment. Although not significant, subjects’ peak force, jump height and peak power decreased less after vibration compared to sham immediately, 5 minutes and 15 minutes post treatment. This means that subjects performed at a higher level after the vibration treatment.

Moezy, A, Olyaei, G, Hadian, M, Razi, M and Faghihzadeh, S
A Comparative Study of Whole Body Vibration Training and Conventional Training on Knee Proprioception and Postural Stability after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.
British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published online 8 Jan 2008

The results of this study showed that Power Plate training increased postural stability and proprioceptive function (the conscious perception of limb position in space) in athletes who have had their Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstructed. This indicates that Power Plate training can be important for rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction.

Roelants, M, Verschueren, S, Delecluse, C, Levin, O, and Stijnen, V
WBV-induced increase in leg muscle activity during different squat exercises.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 20(1), 124–129 , 2006

Muscle activity in the upper leg (measured with EMG) increased significantly during a Power Plate session (2 minutes) at 35 Hz. This increase could be measured in all muscles and all exercises compared with the non-vibrating condition.