Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure on Slide-Step Performance in Collegiate Division 1 Men's and Women's Basketball Players

Abstract

Introduction: The sport of basketball requires levels of efficiency in all planes of movement. The physicality and high speeds of change of direction calls on a large demand for movement efficiency in order to perform at a high level. A critical movement in the sport of basketball is the slide-step, requiring a level of reactivity and capacity to produce force in the horizontal plane it’s no surprise this movement is key on the defensive side of the sport. Improvements in slide-step performance could equal a level of higher defensive capabilities and a more efficient basketball player. WBV has been shown to improve performance characteristics, this indicates WBV may have similar effects on slide-step performance. WBV uses mechanical oscillatory motions made up of frequency, amplitude, and magnitude. The mechanical stimulus is made of vertical sinusoidal vibrations, typically ranging between frequencies of 35 to 40 hz. The idea that WBV may have a positive effect on slide-step performance comes from two physiological responses, post-activation potentiation and increased neuromuscular activity. Literature supports the fact that WBV elicits these physiological mechanisms which supports our reasons for examination. Many exercise modalities are utilized to enhance performance qualities yet little to no research has examined the effects of WBV on slide-step performance. Implementing WBV in a year-round training program may yield positive results in improving performance characteristics. Purpose: The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effects of WBV exposure on slide-step performance in collegiate division 1 men’s and women’s basketball players. Methods: The present study included 6 men’s basketball and 7 women’s basketball players from the University of Oklahoma. Participants provided written informed consent to include their data in the final analysis. Participants reported to testing once a week for 2 weeks where they filled out a Poms and menstrual (female only) questionnaire prior to any testing. Following the completionof the questionnaires, participants completed a 5-minute warm up on a bike ergometer at a workload of 75 watts. Three CMJ’s were completed on the force plates after the conclusion of the warmup followed by the 10-m slide-step pre-test. Participants had Plantiga insoles inserted in their shoes and hooked up to a 1080 Sprint device prior to beginning the slide-step test. Participants then completed 2 trials moving to the left, followed by 2 more trials moving to the right. WBV exposure took place after the pre-test, half the participants were exposed to WBV while the other half was not. Following the WBV intervention the 10-m slide-step post test was conducted with the same procedures as the pre-test. Statistical Analyses: A repeated measure ANOVA was conducted to determine differences between pre and post 10-m slide-step performance time, GCT, deceleration, and acceleration. Post hoc comparisons were examined using a dependent t-test. Results: There were no significant differences observed from the WBV intervention on slide-step performance from pre to post. However, a significant main effect for time was observed showing participants got better at the test the more they did it. GCT and deceleration observed no significant changes from pre to post following WBV. Furthermore, a significant different in acceleration going right was observed pre to post, yet no significant difference was observed when going left from pre to post. Conclusion: These findings suggest a single bout of WBV improved acceleration moving right (pushing off the left leg) in a 10-m slide-step test. Other metrics such as GCT, deceleration, and overall slide-step performance time displayed no difference from pre to post suggesting these metrics may not be influenced by WBV or a stronger stimulus such as multiple exposures or a different WBV exposure combination is needed to elicit changes within these metrics.