4.5 How long has vibration training been around?

At the end of the 19th century, scientists discovered that mechanic vibration can alleviate pain, and thus vibration was put to use to treat physical discomfort. In the 20th century proper scientific research was undertaken on the influence of vibration on bone growth. Because astronauts experience a significant decrease in bone density during their stay in space, therapies were required in order to counteract this symptom. The growing number of elderly people also initiated research into the connection between vibration training and bone density. It turned out that vibration therapy improved bone density enormously. In the middle of the 20th century scientific research also showed that vibrations transferred to the body will cause a stretch reflex in which the muscles are contracted continuously. In the former Soviet Union, this principle was put to use in improving performance in sports. During the 70's, many Russian scientists (e.g. Nazarov, Issurin) have studied the effects of vibration training, where a great increase was found in muscle strength, flexibility and recuperation capacity. In the western world this new form of weight training was largely unknown. Only after the Iron Curtain was pulled down, scientists from Israel and Italy rediscovered and developed the principle of vibration training. In the therapy field local vibration methods have been used for years, both preemptively and in recovery and rehabilitation after injuries. The “WBV” Device is a Dutch product, based on scientific findings and results, and expanding the use of this form of training to the entire human body with the help of the straps.