Randomized controlled trial comparing weighted vest and whole-body vibration exercise: Effects on bone and muscle health in older adults

Abstract

Introduction: Bone and muscle loss is a problem particularly in sedentary older females. Resistance training is recognized as promoting bone and muscle health.

Objective: To investigate whether the incorporation of a weighted vest or whole-body vibration into exercise regimens could attenuate declines in bone mineral density and lean muscle mass among older adults.

Methods: Forty-nine participants were divided into three groups, a control group (CON) that performed brisk walk and various strengthening exercises, a weighted vest group (WV) that completed the same program with a weighted vest, and a whole-body vibration group (WBV) that exercised on a vibration platform.

Results: After 8-week training, the WV group showed significant improvement in bone T-score (0.06 ± 0.19), while the CON (-0.19 ± 0.11, p = 0.000) and WBV (-0.13 ± 0.19, p = 0.014) groups experienced decreases. Lumbar spine BMC increased in the WV group (2.82 ± 2.52 g) compared to CON (-1.92 ± 7.03 g, p = 0.023). WBV training led to lean mass gains (0.22 ± 0.71 kg) compared to CON (-0.98 ± 0.60 kg, p = 0.011) and WV (-0.60 ± 0.83 kg, p = 0.007).

Conclusion: The results indicate that weighted vest exercise may contribute to the prevention of bone loss, whereas whole-body vibration training appears to promote improvements in lean muscle mas