Frequency of vibration for activating human muscles: A pilot study

VernacularTitle:人体肌肉振动激活频率的初步研究
Author: Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Guangxu XU ; Wentong ZHANG ; Yi ZHU ; Rong CAO ; Mei DU ; Shaoqing GU
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Vibration stimulation; Surface electromyography; Muscle activation; Resonance
From: Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2012;34(4):241-244
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To explore the best vibration frequency for activating human muscles.Methods Nineteen healthy college students accepted vibration stimulation at frequencies between 10 and 50 Hz.Surface electromyograms (sEMG) were recorded.The subjects were sitting,standing,squatting (knee flexion 30°) and recumbent.Their left anterior tibial muscles and the medial heads of the gastrocnemius were targeted as test muscles.The vibration stimulation point was on the surface of the left distal tibia.The sEMG characteristics of the calf muscles were analyzed under vibration stimulation at different frequencies. ResultsThe leg muscles were activated significantly at all vibration frequencies,but the sEMG values of the anterior tibialis were significantly different at different frequencies,except for among 30 Hz,40 Hz and 50 Hz in any position.The gastrocnemius sEMG values were not significantly different at different frequencies. ConclusionVibration at 30 to 50Hz may be the normal human muscle activation frequency.