USA Today: Vibration Plates Are Trendy. But Do They Actually Work?
USA Today recently interviewed Natasha Trentacosta, MD, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, about whether vibration plates actually improve muscle engagement, circulation and lymphatic drainage, as claimed.
Vibration plates are exercise devices with a platform that vibrates while a person sits or stands on them. Trentacosta told USA Today that the rapid movement—typically 20 to 60 vibrations per second—creates an unstable surface requiring the body to adjust to maintain balance.
“This can add intensity to just standing at your desk or to a workout class,” she said.
Trentacosta told USA Today that using a vibration plate during exercises such as squats may increase muscle engagement.
“This can also help with balance and muscular control, something that becomes even more important as we age or are recovering from a significant injury and deconditioning,” she said.
However, Trentacosta cautioned that increased muscle activation does not necessarily translate to greater strength or power gains, and vibration plates should not replace traditional exercise.
“Vibration plates have never been shown to lead to significant weight loss, as they do not substitute for a healthy diet and proper exercise regimens which should include at the very least cardio, strength training and stretching,” she told USA Today.
She said that while vibration plates may benefit people with osteoporosis, they are not a standalone treatment. She finds them most helpful for older adults recovering from serious injuries.
Trentacosta told USA Today vibration plates may aid lymphatic drainage, but evidence is limited and they should not replace exercise or compression therapy.
For people interested in trying a vibration plate, Trentacosta recommended starting with one or two sessions per week of simple exercises, such as standing, squats or heel raises, with balance support nearby.
“If you understand the limitations to vibration plates, then you can appreciate how they may benefit your lifestyle as an adjunct to your training or rehabilitation program,” she said.
Read the complete article from USA Today.