Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs.

Cerebral oxygenation and blood volume responses to seated whole-body vibration.

Maikala RV, King S, Bhambhani YN

Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, 71 Frankland Road, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, USA. rammohan.maikala@libertymutual.com

Role of backrest support and hand grip contractions on regional cerebral oxygenation and blood volume were evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy in 13 healthy men during whole-body vibration (WBV). Subjects were exposed to three WBV (3, 4.5, and 6 Hz at approximately 0.9 g(rms) in the vertical direction), in a randomized order on separate days. During WBV, subjects performed right-hand maximal voluntary intermittent rhythmic hand grip contractions for 1 min. Subjects demonstrated highest oxygenation and blood volume values at 4.5 Hz, however, these responses were similar with and without backrest support (P>0.01). Compared to WBV alone, addition of hand grip exercise during WBV further increased oxygenation (0.07+/-0.11 vs. 0.004+/-0.11 od, P=0.003) and blood volume (0.156+/-0.20 vs. 0.066+/-0.17 od, P=0.000) in the right forehead. Peak oxygen uptake did not correlate to changes in oxygenation and blood volume (P>0.01). Based on the increase in ventilation volume and no change in the ratio of ventilation volume and expired carbon dioxide (P>0.01), it is concluded that WBV induces hyperventilation that might activate the pre-frontal cortical region, thus influencing cerebral responses through neuronal activation.

Published 5 December 2005 in Eur J Appl Physiol, 95(5): 447-53.
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