Use of whole body vibration to enhance performance in dancers

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the use of WBV to enhance performance in dancers.;Study One assessed the effects of position and frequency, and gender differences on perceived exertion during WBV in healthy, active adults. Study Two examined the inter-rater and test-retest reliability in judging the highest jump of good quality of the 1st position countermovement jump (CMJ), and the relationship between CMJ height and peak isokinetic torque. Study Three assessed the immediate effect of position and WBV frequency on 1st position saute CMJ height, quality, and static and dynamic balance, in female professional contemporary dancers. Participants were recruited from Texas Woman's University for Study One and Study Two, and in person among professional dancers for Study Three. Participant consent forms were collected, and all studies passed TWU IRB review.;In Study One, there was a significant main effect of position (p=0.004), a significant main effect of frequency (p=0.025), and significant marginal means between the frequencies of 0 Hz and 50 Hz, (p=0.007). Statistically significant differences in perceived exertion were found between genders (p=0.001 to p=0.04).;In Study Two, there was good to excellent inter-tester agreement within the same day (kappa=0.81), good to excellent test-retest between days (ICC 2,1 =0.88). The ICC (2,1) for the highest jump when utilizing a single trial was 0.96 compared to ICC (2,k) of 0.98 with averaging of two trials. The SEM at the 95% CI was 0.70 inches, and MDC was 1.93 inches from the highest good quality jump. There was a strong relationship between CMJ height and peak isokinetic torque (r=0.64 to 0.69). In Study Three, the interaction of position x time was significant (p=0.01), with significant simple effects between pre and post intervention within static plie (=0.001). The interaction of frequency x time was significant (p=0.004), with significant simple effects between pre and post intervention, within the 30-Hz frequency (p=0.001).;In healthy, active adults, WBV was well-tolerated. Future studies should consider gender differences in perceived exertion, use of the highest single CMJ of good quality of three for the single rater, use of the 75-second static-plie position to improve CMJ height, and use of the 75-second 30-Hz frequency, 2 to 4-mm amplitude WBV to improve static balance in the female professional contemporary dancer.