Strength training with superimposed whole body vibration does not preferentially modulate cortical plasticity

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to investigate 4wks of leg strength training with and without whole body vibration (WBV) on corticospinal excitability and short-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI). Participants (n=12) were randomly allocated to either a control or experimental (WBV) group. All participants completed 12 squat training sessions either with (WBV group) or without (control group) exposure to WBV (f=35Hz, A=2.5mm). There were significant (P < 0.05) increases in squat strength and corticospinal excitability and significant (P < 0.05) reductions in SICI for both groups following the 4wk intervention. There were no differences detected between groups for any dependant variable (P > 0.05). It appears that WBV training does not augment the increase in strength or corticospinal excitability induced by strength training alone. Copyright © 2012 Ashleigh T. Weier and Dawson J. Kidgell.