POWER PLATE Whole Body Vibration

Pacific Coast Sports Medicine is a regenerative orthopedic clinic that provides state-of-the-art and cutting-edge treatment programs. Our clinicians use the Power Plate whole body vibration platform in a variety of applications. From patients who are striving for increased bone mineral density to post-surgical patients looking to build muscle strength, restore range of motion, and improve flexibility, Power Plate is added to treatment programs whenever beneficial.

Power Plate whole body vibration has been demonstrated to improve:

• Bone regeneration
• Maximum strength
• Force & power
• Jump height (3)
• Postural control
• Flexibility
• Gait & balance (1)

Power Plate applies whole body vibration to induce osteogenic—or, bone rebuilding—effects (4). Depending on the severity of osteoporosis, patients stand or perform various exercises on its vibrating platform, which “moves 25 to 50 times per second resulting in corresponding muscle activation.”

How does Whole Body Vibration stimulate bone and muscle growth?

These harmonic, consistent, and controlled vibrations have direct and indirect effects upon the musculoskeletal system by translating the mechanical vibrations into chemical or electrical signals within the body (8):

• A change of flow of the fluid within bones occurs, stimulating and increasing osteoblasts and other bone remodeling cells’ activity to mineralize and regenerate bone tissue (4,11)
• May temporarily alter levels of hormones (testosterone and growth hormone) that are associated with regulation/stimulation of bone remodeling (9)
• Sensory receptors within the muscles are activated, initiating muscle contractions and, thereby, causing strengthening of muscles and loading of bones (10)

The research literature suggests that whole body vibration treatments, over a period of 6-12 months, significantly increase bone mineral density in not only those with osteoporosis, but also those who are postmenopausal, obese, and diagnosed with scoliosis (5,6,10). Power Plate has also been shown to be an effective exercise and preventative measure for young women to achieve maximum bone mineral density as well as “stave off osteoporosis later in life” (3).

The whole body vibration effects of Power Plate extend into the realm of sports performance and rehabilitation as well…

• When used in conjunction with balance exercises–velocity, muscle recruitment, and balance significantly improved in one experiment involving women (7)
• Compared to a control group, only those who participated in whole body vibration training saw significant increases in maximal quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength (2)
• A literature review of eight clinical studies evaluating the effects of whole body vibration on flexibility concluded that it is a safe and effective clinical intervention to improve flexibility and performance (1)

The regenerative orthopedic specialists at Pacific Coast Sports Medicine utilize the Power Plate whole body vibration platform due to its objective success in many clinical settings. Consult our medical team if you are interested in learning more about the application of Power Plate in regenerative orthopedics such as our comprehensive osteoporosis prevention and treatment program or our physical rehabilitation and sports performance programs.