Vibration training fights off obesity

After comparing different methods of weight loss, The European Journal of Obesity found that vibration training combined with a calorie-controlled diet can result in sustainable weight loss for the overweight.

Combining whole-body vibration (WBV) training with a diet can help to achieve long-term weight loss of 5-10% and has the potential to reduce visceral adipose tissue (or body fat) more than other methods of exercise, like aerobics.

The study involved 79 overweight people randomly assigned to four groups. After the first six months, the group who dieted and followed a Power Plate® fitness regime lost the most weight and body fat. Those in the diet and traditional fitness groups showed a slightly smaller decrease in both measurements, while the control group registered no significant change.

A year later, when all groups had returned to their usual lifestyle, the group who exercised on the Power Plate® machines maintained their reduced level in visceral adipose tissue. However, the diet and fitness groups had returned to their baseline levels.

The results also have wider implications for the health service and the economy, as obesity continues to stretch the NHS budget.