Impact of Whole-body Vibration Training on Sarcopenic Elderly

• Maximal voluntary isometric contraction at knee[ Time Frame: Before intervention / after two weeks intervention ]
  Change from baseline knee extension power to 2 weeks after initial assessment. Using the machine(muscle tester(manual), Lafayett instrument, USA), knee extension power will be measured while subject sit in the chair.
• 10 meter walking test[ Time Frame: Before intervention / after two weeks intervention ]
  Change from baseline time when performing 10 meter walking test to 2 weeks after initial assessment. The subject was asked to move 10 meter away from baseline. While subject moved, total amount of time was measured. Then, the time used in first 2 meter movement and last time used in last 2 meter movement was excluded. Finally, total time used in 6 meter movement was measured.
• Hand grip muscle strength[ Time Frame: Before intervention / after two weeks intervention ]
  Change from baseline hand grip strength to 2 weeks after initial assessment. Its assessment is made by Leonardo Mechanograph(Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany), (unit = N ). For the actual testing procedure, grip strength measurements of the bilateral limb were conducted. The subject was instructed to slowly squeeze the machine. Each measure site was tested one times during 3 seconds. The subjects sit in the chair, maintaining elbow flexed at 90 degree.

Sarcopenia is defined as a phenomenon which the amount of muscle mass in elderly aged 60-70 years is about 20-30% lower than that of the young adults and middle-aged people due to muscle atrophy caused by aging and alteration in muscle itself in aged skeletal muscle. Whole body vibration(WBV) training can be a choice for hospitalized patients who cannot conduct high intensity resistance training.

• Device: whole body vibration plus conventional therapy
  Subjects enrolled in whole body vibration training group are exposed to side-to-side alternating vertical sinusoidal vibration. Galileo system(Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany) is used to training. Frequency of whole body vibration is 12Hz and amplitude is 4mm. After 10 minutes of vibration training, subjects rest 3 minutes. Then, additional 10 minutes of training will be given. conventional physical therapy is consisted of passive range of motion exercise and walking exercise.
• Procedure: conventional therapy
  conventional physical therapy is consisted of passive range of motion exercise and walking exercise.

• Experimental: Whole body vibration plus conventional therapy group
  conventional therapy + whole body vibration training for 40 minutes per day, five days per week for two-week period.
• Active Comparator: conventional training group
  conventional therapy (passive range of motion exercise and walking exercise) for 40 minutes per day, five days per week for two-week period.