Effects Of Unilateral Vibration On Contralateral Forearm Muscle Activity

A functional cooperation exists between bones and skeletal muscles. Bones work together with muscles as a simple mechanical lever system to produce body movement. One of the important functions of bones is to exert resistance against gravity in order to carry the body. In order to carry out their mechanical functions, bones need to have considerable resistance to deformation under load. It is well-known that muscle activity (i.e., exercises) improves the resistance of bone to mechanical loading, and that it is also important for treating and preventing osteoporosis. Resistance and impact training have been shown to induce bone formation and/or prevent bone resorption. Skeletal muscles have positive effects on bone structure and function. Can bones have an effect on muscle activity? There is only one study about the effect of bones on muscles. In this study, it was shown that bones may affect muscle strength gain in healthy young adult males.

Vibration has a strong osteogenic effect. Vibration-induced bone formation is neuronally regulated. Vibration can also effectively enhance muscle strength and power. Previous studies have shown that vibration increases muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity. But, it has not been reported whether bone has an effect on the increase in muscle EMG activity caused by vibration or not. The aim of this study was to determine whether radius bone exposed to cyclic mechanical loading affects muscle electrical activity of contralateral untrained m. flexor carpi radialis in healthy adult volunteers.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy subjects
• Right handed
• Young adult women and men

Exclusion criteria

• secondary osteoporosis
• neuropathy (central or peripheral)
• myopathy
• systemic diseases (arthritis, endocrine-metabolic diseases, bone diseases)
• professional sportswoman/sportsman
• subjects doing regular sports activities
• tendinopathy
• amputee, endoprosthesis, metal implants