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Review
. 2023 May 26;11(15):3434-3443.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i15.3434.

Effectiveness and safety of subthreshold vibration over suprathreshold vibration in treatment of muscle fatigue in elderly people

Ayman A Mohamed  1   2 , Esraa Khaled  1 , Asmaa Hesham  1 , Ahmed Khalf  1
Affiliations
Review

Effectiveness and safety of subthreshold vibration over suprathreshold vibration in treatment of muscle fatigue in elderly people

Ayman A Mohamed et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

Muscle fatigue is common in many populations, particularly elderlies. Aging increases the incidence of muscle fatigue and delays its recovery. There is a huge debate about the current treatments for muscle fatigue, particularly in elderlies. Recently, it has been discovered that mechanoreceptors have an important role as a sensory system in sensing muscle fatigue which could enhance the body's response to muscle fatigue. The function of mechanoreceptors could be enhanced by applying either suprathreshold or subthreshold vibration. Although suprathreshold vibration improves muscle fatigue, it can cause desensitization of cutaneous receptors, discomfort, and paresthesia, which are barriers to clinical use. Subthreshold vibration has been approved as a safe and effective method of training for mechanoreceptors; however, its use and effectiveness in muscle fatigue have never been tested or explained. Possible physiological effects of subthreshold vibration in the treatment of muscle fatigue include: (1) Enhancing the function of mechanoreceptors themselves; (2) Increasing the firing rate and function of alpha motor neurons; (3) Increasing blood flow to fatigued muscles; (4) Decreasing the rate of muscle cell death in elderlies (sarcopenia); and (5) Driving motor commands and allow better performance of muscles to decrease fatigue incidence. In conclusion, the use of subthreshold vibration could be a safe and effective treatment for muscle fatigue in elderlies. It could enhance recovery from muscle fatigue. Finally, Subthreshold Vibration is safe and effective in treating muscle fatigue in comparison to suprathreshold vibration.

Keywords: Elderly people; Fatigue; Muscle; Subthreshold; Vibration.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect subthreshold vibration on the mechanoreceptors themselves.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect subthreshold vibration on alpha motor neuron.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect subthreshold vibration on blood flow to muscle.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect subthreshold vibration on muscle cell death rate (sarcopenia).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect subthreshold vibration as a sensory stimulation to drive motor actions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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