Does whole-body vibration affect fitness in menopause? What 10 studies found

Over 14 weeks, postmenopausal women adding whole-body electromyostimulation to their usual endurance and strength training maintained resting metabolic rate and gained more strength than controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 30 women · 14 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 71 timesPubMed

In 33 postmenopausal women over 12 weeks, both low-intensity resistance training and whole-body vibration improved blood vessel function and leg strength, while resistance training also improved gait speed.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 33 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 42 timesPubMed

Older postmenopausal women did 6 months of local vibration training, which improved isometric muscle strength but did not change bone density, muscle mass, or physical performance.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 35 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 27 timesPubMed

Fifty two postmenopausal women with osteoporosis on alendronate did six months of whole body vibration exercise, and researchers reported improved flexibility, balance and walking velocity versus controls; this publication was later retracted.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 26 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed

In postmenopausal women, 8 months of whole-body vibration or walking differently improved fitness measures, with walking better for walking speed and chair rise, vibration better for vertical jump.

Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 27 women · 35 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 28 timesPubMed

In 31 breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors, 12 weeks of whole-body vibration did not change bone turnover markers, body composition, or physical function versus usual care.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 31 women · 12 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed

Women aged 45 to 60 did a 12-week leg exercise program on a vibrating or non-vibrating platform, and vibration did not improve leg strength or power more than exercise alone.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 39 women · 12 weeks · 2013Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed

Sedentary postmenopausal women did 8 weeks of whole body vibration, circuit resistance, or aerobic training, with vibration showing no body composition benefit and a strength decrease versus other methods.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 8 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 28 timesPubMed

In 194 women aged 65 to 79 with osteopenia or osteoporosis, 9 months of dynamic multicomponent exercise improved gait speed, trunk endurance, and balance more than OsteoStrong, though both improved grip and back strength.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 194 women · 39 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed

Obese middle-aged women did a 12-week diet and aerobic program with or without acceleration training; adding acceleration training improved grip strength, balance and flexibility beyond diet and aerobic exercise alone.

Direction not statedControlled trial · 28 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 10 timesPubMed