THE ACUTE EFFECT OF TRAINING FREQUENCIES AND NUMBER OF SETS OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION ON KNEE JOINT PROPRIOCEPTION

Whole body vibration affects neuromuscular systems through the stimulation of receptors in muscles and tendons. This study investigated the acute effects of different training intensities of WBV on knee joint proprioception. A total of 18 untrained males participated in this study. Joint position sense was tested as an index of joint proprioception ability. Frequencies of 20, 35, and 50 Hz with two mm of displacement vibration training were tested. Each frequency was tested in different numbers of sets (four, six, eight, and ten sets). As it turned out, the results indicated a significant improvement in active JPS at 35 Hz for all testing sets, and only at 20 Hz with ten sets. As for passive JPS, significant improvements were obtained only at 35 Hz with ten sets of training. WBV training affected knee joint proprioception in active JPS with shorter vibration exposure at lower frequencies and amplitude. Coaches, athletes and physical therapists should consider using WBV training for its potential benefits in warm-ups and rehabilitation.