Osteoporosis treatment with Acceleration Training / Vibration Training

Scientific research conducted in the US shows that vibration or “acceleration” training can help build bone density and also help to reduce the frequency of falls in osteoporosis patients.
Osteoporosis is a bone condition which can lead to an increased risk of fractures. Most common in post-menopausal women, it leads to a “thinning” of the bones as bone density is reduced which leaves them likely to break.

Treatment

Traditionally treatment has consisted of medication, nutrition advice and weight-bearing exercise. But recent research into the effect of whole body vibration training appears to show that bone density can be increased through a simple programme of 3 x 30 minutes sessions per week.

Whole body vibration (also known as acceleration training or vibration training) involves standing on a rapidly vibrating platform whilst adopting certain positions to focus the vibration on the correct muscles. As the muscles rapidly contract and relax to counter the vibrations so they are exercised and toned. Research published in the American Journal of Bone Mineral Research has shown that vibration training also leads to an increase in body density similar to that achieved by the weight-bearing exercises normally prescribed for osteoporosis. The whole body vibration programme also has the advantage of delivering results in much shorter sessions than would be required with a conventional exercise programme.

In addition to the increase in bone density the research also showed that the acceleration training led to an improvement in postural control and balance. These effects can help to reduce the risk of falls and therefore reduce the risk of broken bones in osteoporosis patients.

Risks

Whilst osteoporosis is most common in women beyond the menopause it can also affect younger women and men particularly as a result of a hormonal condition or treatment with high dose steroids. Smoking, execessive alcohol consumption and eating disorders are also all risk factors in developing osteoporosis.

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