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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Apr 16:13:e19263.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19263. eCollection 2025.

Effects of low-frequency vibration training on walking ability and body composition among older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Xiaohuan Tan  1 , Guiping Jiang  2 , Lei Zhang  1 , Dandan Wang  3 , Xueping Wu  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of low-frequency vibration training on walking ability and body composition among older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Xiaohuan Tan et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Background: As life expectancy rises, age-related decline in mobility and physical function poses challenges for older adults. While traditional exercise can help, limitations and injury risks persist. This study explores low-frequency vibration training as a potential alternative to improve walking ability and body composition in older adults.

Methods: A lottery was used to randomly assign 50 participants (mean age 80.08 years) to either a vibration group (n = 25, 10 males, 15 females) or a control group (n = 25, 11 males, 14 females). While the control group continued their regular daily schedule, the vibration group completed 8 weeks of low-frequency vibration training (frequency: 4-13 Hz; amplitude: two mm), three sessions per week, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes. The walk ability was assessed using the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and six-meter (six m) walk speed, while body composition was measured via body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Results: Low-frequency vibration training significantly increased walking speed in the six m walk speed (F (1,36) = 4.50, p = 0.04, η p 2 = 0.11) and TUG (z = - 2.72, p = 0.007), compared with the control group. Observed improvements on the 30-s CST were not statistically significant (F (1,36) = 0.05, p = 0.81, η p 2 = 0.002). In the WC, the effect of time (F (1,36) = 7.19, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.16) was significant. The main effect of the group for HC (F (1,36) = 0.06, p = 0.80, η p 2 = 0.002) and WHR (F (1,36) = 2.00, p = 0.16, η p 2 = 0.05) were not significant, but the interaction effects for HC (F (1,36) = 6.37, p = 0.01, η p 2 = 0.15) and WHR (F (1,36) = 9.08, p = 0.005, η p 2 = 0.20) were significant. However, the intervention showed no statistically significant effects on BMI and body fat percentage.

Conclusion: Low-frequency vibration training significantly enhanced walking speed and WHR in older adults. This low-intensity intervention is especially beneficial for those with exercise limitations or a high risk of injury. Although its effects on BMI and body fat percentage were limited, the study offers valuable insights for developing personalized vibration training programs.

Keywords: Physical function; RCT; Senior; Vibration training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CONSORT flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Schematics of the vibration platform.
NOTE: The frequency was gradually increased to increase the vibration stimulation.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Comparisons of the change after 8 weeks training in the the 30-s CST and six m walk speed.
NOTE: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Comparisons of the change after 8 weeks training in the TUG.
NOTES: The box plot illustrates the median (horizontal line within the box), mean (small square within the box), interquartile range (IQR, represented by the box), and the maximum and minimum values (whiskers). Outliers are represented by individual points outside the whiskers. TUG, Timed Up and Go; *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Comparisons of the change after 8 weeks training in the WC, HC and WHR.
NOTES: WC, waist circumference; HC, hip circumference; WHR, waist-to-hip ratio; *, P < 0.05.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Comparisons of the change after 8 weeks training in the BMI and body fat percentage.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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