Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is vibration training something new?

No. Vibration training is backed by over 40 years of research. The technology utilizes a frequency range that has been proven to be both safe and effective. The technology was originally designed to treat bone and lean muscle mass loss in cosmonauts who had spent considerable time in a weightless environment, in addition to enhancing power and strength and accelerating recovery in Russian Olympic athletes. Eventually, the technology was introduced to Europe in the early 1990's, where further research was done to validate its effects. Due to its many benefits, the technology has quickly gained acceptance and is now utilized by universities, professional sports teams, and health professionals in the rehabilitation and medical fields.

1. What is WAVE?

WAVE is an acronym for Whole-body Advanced Vibration Exercise. The word advanced is not taken lightly. WAVE is one of the world's leaders in the development of effective and safe vibration exercise technology. When compared with others, WAVE has no equal particularly with its patent pending technology.

2. Who created WAVE?

The founders of the WAVE organization are healthcare professionals trained as physiotherapists and chiropractors. The reason WAVE exists is because they could not find suitable vibration technology that was durable and could be used for therapeutic purposes. Because of this, they created their own along with very specific exercise protocols.

4. When will I see results?

This is the most common of questions for which there is no standard answer. Results are goals. Some goals can be achieved in a relatively short period of time. Others take longer. The key is to ensure you are on a program of graduated progression of exercises. This will help you to achieve specific results before you progress further.

4. What happens if I don't see results?

When properly executed, vibration exercise will produce results. One reason is that the platform will activate almost 100% of your muscles which is why it is called whole-body vibration (WBV). No other type of resistance exercise can do this.

5. Where Did The Technology Come From?

Contemporary vibration exercise originated in Germany and was pivotal to the success of the Russian Space program in the 1960s and 1970's where it was found to prevent muscle atrophy, a hazard of space travel. It was also popular among Soviet-era athletes.  It is now a recognized rehabilitation modality at North American hospitals, universities, rehabilitation and sports performance centers as well as leading fitness centers and gyms. Current research findings in peer reviewed journals show such patient benefits as improved circulation, pain reduction, increased flexibility, enhanced muscular performance, and improved balance and gait. This is accomplished with minimal stress to joints, ligaments and tendons. Results are achieved in a fraction of the time of conventional exercise.

6. What makes WAVE exercise different from conventional training?

WAVE exercise has the competitive advantage over conventional resistance training because it provides a more effective and efficient exercise without constraints such as joint stress, lengthy repetitions and time commitments. A WAVE program can produce similar strength gains to conventional resistance training at a fraction of the time. For comparison purposes, fifteen minutes of Vibration exercise can produce about the same results as an hour of conventional training. However, this is only a rule of thumb given that conventional resistance programs do not activate and has no physiological way to activate as many muscles and rarely has an impact on fast twitch muscles. WAVE exercise also generates less stress on the joints, ligaments and tendons compared to regular resistance training. What is most beneficial about WAVE is that it provides an effective solution to those that may benefit from weight training, but are unable to engage in it.

7. What is the science behind WAVE exercise?

The science follows several different principles: The Stretch Reflex: The movement of the vibration plate with a small amplitude of 2 to 4 mm simulates the body's natural 'stretch reflex' (Tonic Vibration Reflex). This is similar to the knee jerk reaction that occurs when the knee is tapped by a reflex hammer in a doctor's office. Without thinking about it, your body responds with a strong involuntary muscle contraction, leading to your leg 'kicking out'. With WAVE technology, these strong muscle contractions can be repeated at a rapid rate. At a frequency of 20 to 50 times a second, the WAVE can produce up to 3000 contractions in 1 minute. Nearly 100% Muscle Recruitment: Due to its involuntary effect on muscle contraction, nearly 100% of muscle fibers are recruited. In conventional training, the average is 40% of muscle recruitment. This benefits rehabilitation patients seeking to add stability and strength to muscles around their joints and athletes looking to maximize strength gains. Increased Blood Circulation: Gentle rapid contractions of up to 3000 times per minute allow muscles to work as pumps in introducing blood to even the smallest blood vessels. This leads to the ability of the body to carry off waste products much faster, leading to increased peripheral circulation.

8. What is the youngest age for vibration training?

Age 12 is recommend following general guidelines on resistance training for adolescents. However, at this age or even above, there should always be supervision by a qualified individual. An person younger than 12 should have approval from a physician prior to any exercise.

9. Are there any contraindications?

While there are no significant side-effects resulting from WAVE vibration exercise, however there are a number of cautions and restrictions for certain conditions. The following list of contraindications that must be considered. In some cases, Although WAVE can actually help people with some of these conditions, a consultation with a physician is recommended. This is good advice for anyone considering a new exercise program.

Contraindications:

• Acute inflammations and infections
• Acute joint disorders and arthroses
• Acute severe migraine headache
• Acute rheumatoid arthritis
• Serious cardiovascular diseases, such as heart and vascular
• Fresh surgery wounds
• Recent joint implants, such as foot, knee and hip implants
• Heart rhythm disorders
• Heart valve disorders
• Recently placed metal or synthetic implants such as pacemaker, intra - uterine device, and cochlear implants
• Pregnancy
• Gallstones
• Epilepsy
• Recent thrombosis or possible thrombotic complaints
• Tumors
• Severe diabetes
• Kidney stones
• Low back complaints such as acute hernia, discopathy, and spondylolysis
• Active Cancer

10. How are strength gains developed through this technology?

Improving muscular strength is one of the most important benefits of WAVE vibration exercise. Muscular strength increases follow a certain path of neurological adaptation and muscular adaptation and hypertrophy. Muscular adaptations occur through an increase in the cross sectional area of muscle fibers, thereby improving the contraction properties of muscle tissue leading to a maximal contraction that provides more force and power. Muscle Muscular adaptation and hypertrophy usually begins after 4 to 6 weeks of training. Vibration training accelerates strength through neurological adaptation. This means that strength will increase through improvements in the quality of muscle contraction. For the untrained individual, there is a definite lack of control of muscle fibers. Magnetic resonance imaging has even shown that the whole muscle is not used during a maximal contraction. With the WAVE, there is nearly 100 percent recruitment of muscle fibers, thereby allowing an accelerated improvement in initial strength.

11. I've hit a plateau with my training. How can the WAVE help me overcome this?

With any athlete, a plateau occurs due to various reasons. Some have maximized the 'muscular adaptation' response of their muscles (see question above), while others may be over-training and not recovering quickly enough. Whatever the reason, WAVE vibration will help. It is designed to train all muscle fibers. By recruiting more muscle fibers it helps increase force. In addition, gentle rapid contractions allow muscles to work as pumps, helping the body carry off waste products much faster, thereby enhancing circulation and recovery.

12. I find it hard to keep training when I get an injury. How can the WAVE help with this?

Any athlete understands the frustration that comes with an injury. In certain cases, conventional training puts too much stress on the body, limiting an athlete from maintaining their performance. Since WAVE puts less stress on the joints, ligaments, and tendons, it is the ideal form of exercise to maintain peak physical shape. However, a physician should be consulted prior to considering any exercise program after an injury.

13. Is the progression of WAVE exercises the same as with regular training?

Yes it is. The same principles apply. For example, a squat exercise can progress from static squats to dynamic ones. The progression can include applying extra weight through weighted vests or free weights.

14. Can I do the WAVE with my regular exercise program?

Yes, the WAVE was designed to be used as a complement to regular training, in addition to being used alone. It is also an ideal warm up tool, or as a means to cool down after workouts. With weight training, athletes have been finishing off their regular sets with a set of vibration training to help train all their muscle fibers. Others use vibration sets combined with regular training.

15. Do I get any cardio training on the WAVE?

It is designed to be gentle on the cardiovascular system and thus can be used by people who can't stress their cardiovascular system. A cardio effect can be achieved by increasing the intensity of the exercise, decreasing the rest time or adding extra weight.

16. How does the WAVE help recruit more muscle fibers than regular training?.

WAVE vibration exercise is designed to recruit more muscle fibers due to its ability to affect the stretch reflex. Since this is an involuntary reflex, nearly 100% of the muscle fibers can be recruited - both stretch and slow twitch muscle groups.

17. How is WAVE different than using electrical muscle stimulation?

Electrical stimulation only contracts and relaxes muscle fibers that are innervated by the motor units that are being stimulated. Since electrical muscle stimulation is localized, the same percentage of muscle recruitment as with vibration training.

18. Will I be sore on the WAVE or after using it?

Yes and no. Increasing exercise intensity too quickly without getting used to it can result in some soreness. This is also noted after an initial WAVE session. As with any new exercise, it will take time to accommodate to the training. This is why care should be exercised to take it slow in the beginning progress slowly. WAVE is different from other resistance training, such as weight training for a few reasons. With weight training, the body is put through stresses where there will be small micro tears in the muscles. In addition, there is a build up of lactic acid, which contributes to soreness. WAVE vibration training minimizes these micro tears while increasing blood flow, thereby enhancing recovery.

19. My trainer doesn't know anything about vibration exercise. What should I do?

Vibration training is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for sports performance. Most trainers are seeing the benefits it provides for their athletes. Simply direct your trainer to our website. Trainers can also call us to discuss how the WAVE.