Whole Body Vibrations

The benefits of whole body vibration, and how to best use it to improve health.

Whole Body Vibrations: Physical and Biological Effects on the Human Body allows an understanding about the qualities and disadvantages of vibration exposure on the human body with a biomechanical and medical perspective. It offers a comprehensive range of principles, methods, techniques and tools to provide the reader with a clear knowledge of the impact of vibration on human tissues and physiological processes. The text considers physical, mechanical and biomechanical aspects and it is illustrated by key application domains such as sports and medicine. Consisting of 11 chapters in total, the first three chapters provide useful tools for measuring, generating, simulating and processing vibration signals. The following seven chapters are applications in different fields of expertise, from performance to health, with localized or global effects. Since unfortunately there are undesirable effects from the exposure to mechanical vibrations, a final chapter is dedicated to this issue. Engineers, researchers and students from biomedical engineering and health sciences, as well as industrial professionals can profit from this compendium of knowledge about mechanical vibration applied to the human body. Provides biomechanical and medical perspectives to understanding the qualities and disadvantages of vibration exposure on the human body Offers a range of principles, methods, techniques, and tools to evaluate the impact of vibration on human tissues and physiological processes Explores mechanical vibration techniques used to improve human performance Discusses the strong association between health and human well-being Explores physical, mechanical, and biomechanical aspects of vibration exposure in domains such as sports and medicine

The observations made by Paracelsus concerning the dose-effect relationship of poison are generally just as applicable to health threatening vibration. With regard to kind, intensity, and duration of the vibration, the "dose" is decisive as to whether the conse quences are detrimental, unmeaningful, or tolerable with respect to health. This law of nature determines the tasks and goals of those whose aim is to safeguard health. Researchers worldwide have been occupying themselves with this many-faceted question for some time: how mechanical vibration affects the human organism and at what point damage occurs. If prevention in occupational medicine is to succeed, it is most important that the gaps in our present knowledge be closed, for if technical preventive measures are to be effective and preventive means in occupational medicine successful, they must be based on reliable and complete findings. Whenever many independent researchers have worked in a given field for a long period, a comprehensive intermediate as sessment is appropriate to evaluate the level achieved and the direction the research is going. In the area of hand-arm vibration, this evaluation has already been carried out, and the response aroused by this particular research report had led to a demand for a comparable evaluation of the research results on whole-body vibration. This report presents clearly and exhaustively the current status of international knowledge, as well as the questions that remain to be answered.

This innovative new manual demonstrates the application of vibration technology to the treatment of pathologies such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, stroke and different musculoskeletal disorders. It covers pathology on the upper and lower extremities as well as the whole spine. New treatment strategies are practically and logically presented with recommended exercises and accompanying instructions that can be applied using the vibration platforms. Rationale is given for selected vibration frequencies, amplitudes and modes for the duration and frequency of the exercise session. The manual is grounded in evidence underpinned by a thorough literature review (including a balanced view of both pros and cons) and clinical cases. The authors present clinical treatment parameters that are evidence-based and have supportive physiological rationale that is consistent with the nature of the pathology being treated. First book of its kind applying evidence-based vibration technology to physical (physiotherapy) and sport therapy practice Exercise recommendations accompanied by over 70 four-colour illustrations Indications and contra-indications in clinical practice Comprehensive literature review of evidence base and principles Written and supported by experts actively applying this technology to their practice

This book addresses the practical aspects of vibration exercise and vibration therapy. In addition, it describes the technical and physiological background, providing applied scientists and doctors with a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential that vibration exercise holds. Having first emerged two decades ago, vibration exercise has since established itself as a widespread form of physical exercise, used in all rehabilitation areas. The goal of this book is to close the gap between scientific knowledge and practice. Given that occupational exposure to vibration leads to well-known unfavorable effects, the book is also dedicated to potential risks, hazards and contra-indications and of course, the application of vibration therapy in a number of specific conditions is presented in a clinically usable fashion. Given its breadth of coverage, this book will be of interest to physiotherapists and exercise scientists, but also to a wider range of physicians working in the field of rehabilitation.

Today the human body is exposed to vibration not only while traveling but also during leisure and domestic activities and in many occupations. This volume summarizes the current understanding of the many human responses to vibration. Divided into two parts, this book deals with whole-body vibrations and hand-transmitted vibration. In each part the experimental data and appropriate models are presented in detail so that readers can address practical problems. An extensive guide to national and international standards is provided, and a large multidisciplinary glossary of terms assists in understanding the relevant technical and medical jargon. This comprehensive reference volume is accessible to all those interested in human vibration: medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists, and health and safety officials and administrators. LK uses the following bulleted list_ This new text features: An up-to-date statement of current knowledge on human responses to vibration A comprehensive glossary of terms in current use in the fields of vibration and human response An extensive bibliography and guide to national and international standards

Through continued collaboration and the sharing of ideas, data, and results, the international community of researchers and practitioners has developed an understanding of many facets of the human response to vibration. At a time when the EU is preparing to adopt a directive on health risks arising from occupational exposure to vibration, Human Response to Vibration offers authoritative guidance on this complex subject. Individual chapters in the book examine issues relating to whole-body vibration, hand-arm vibration, and motion sickness. Vibration measurements and standards are also addressed. This book meets the needs of those requiring knowledge of human response to vibration in order to make practical improvements to the physical working environment. Written with the consultant, practitioner, researcher, and student in mind, the text is designed to be an educational tool, a reference, and a stimulus for new ideas for the next generation of specialists.