Background: Whole body vibration (WBV) training is a regime of training on a vibration platform that provides oscillatory movement to the body. Vibration training may be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy to control diabetes and its complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of WBV on glycemic indices and peripheral blood flow in type II diabetic patients. Methods: A parallel group clinical trial was conducted with 1:1 allocation ratio at Khon Kaen University between February and May 2010. The study included diabetic patients receiving diet or oral medication control over the previous year and excluded patients with serious medical and musculoskeletal disorders. Forty type II diabetic patients [14 males, 26 females, 63.2 (7.7) y, mean (SD)] were randomised into two groups (WBV and control) by computer software using a block of four design. The WBV group was given two sets of six one-minute vibration squats, three times per week for twelve weeks. The control group maintained their normal physical activity levels. The primary outcome was the patients glycemic indices. Results: We found no significant difference in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar, insulin level and insulin sensitivity between WBV and control groups. Compared to the control group, WBV training resulted in a substantial reduction in resting diastolic blood pressure -7.1 mmHg (95% CI: -10.9, -3.3, P = 0.001) and peak systolic velocity -7.3 cm.sec-1 (95% CI: -14.7, -0.03, P = 0.049), but made little difference to resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, end diastolic velocity, and popliteal artery diameter. Conclusion: Whole body vibration improved resting diastolic blood pressure and peak systolic velocity, however, any beneficial effect of WBV on glycemic indices remains unclear.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Zingiber cassumunar (Plai cream) in either 7% or 14% concentration on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

METHODSSeventy-five untrained healthy volunteers (28 males and 47 females), performed 4 sets of 25 eccentric repetitions of the dominant quadriceps muscle on an isokinetic dynamometry machine. Participants were then randomized into 3 groups: 14% Plai cream, 7% Plai cream and placebo cream. Two grams of the cream (strips of 5-cm long) were gently rubbed into the quadriceps muscles for 5 min immediately following the exercise and every 8 h thereafter for 7 d in all groups. Muscle soreness, muscle strength, jump height, thigh circumference and creatine kinase were measured before and after eccentric exercise.

RESULTSCompared to the placebo cream the 14% Plai cream substantially reduced muscle soreness over the 7 d by -82% (95% CI = -155% to -6%, P = 0.03), but had similar muscle soreness effects to 7% Plai cream (-34%, -96% to 27%, P = 0.2). Compared to the placebo cream the 7% Plai cream resulted in a small non-significant reduction in muscle soreness levels over the following 7 d (-40%, -116% to 36%, P = 0.3). Compared to placebo cream there was little effect of Plai cream (7% or 14%) on muscle strength, jump height, thigh circumference or creatine kinase concentration.

CONCLUSIONUsing 14% Plai cream over a 7-day period substantially reduced muscle soreness symptoms compared to 7% Plai cream or a placebo cream. The authors suggest that the administration of 14% Plai cream is a useful alternative in the management of DOMS.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONThai Clinical Trial Registry TCTR20140215001.

Adult ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Myalgia ; drug therapy ; Ointments ; Zingiberaceae