30 Jan 3 Key Terms To Understand About Vibration Machines
There are 3 key factors you need to understand before considering any vibration machine, they are what will determine whether a vibration plate is capable of delivering the full range of benefits they are known for. Each term could be an article in themselves but let me offer a brief overview of the relationship between them and how they determine the outcomes you potentially gain when using a platform.
When you stand or do other positions on a moving platform, the repetitive upward movement of the platform sends pulses of kinetic energy up through your body. The strength and overall effects of these energy waves depend on the combination of frequency and amplitude you are using.
To begin let’s start by defining Frequency & Amplitude in relation to a vibration machine.
Frequency – How many times/cycles per second the platform is moving you up and down. On pivotal platforms lower frequencies equate to less movement, almost a wobble or jiggling feeling, offering benefits like balance & stability. Mid-range frequencies progress into relaxation, increased lymphatic movement, circulation, and mobility. You will begin to feel more relaxed, the increase in movement starts to feel smoother and less choppy. Higher frequencies generate even faster movement – transferring more energy to your body and it feels more tonic almost like a pulse in your muscles compared to slower frequencies. Faster frequencies activate more muscles, further increases circulation and lymph and offers more of the training benefits like bone density, muscle strength & tone as well as weight loss. Vertical style platforms generally offer only higher frequencies and do not have the slower destabilizing speed ranges.
Amplitude – Along with frequency, the amplitude or displacement of the plate movement determines how much energy is being delivered to your body. Amplitude is how much the platform is moving you up and down with each movement. Amplitude is easily adjusted on a pivotal style machine like a Hypervibe by moving your hands or feet closer or further apart on the plate. On a vertical plate it will be a “high or low” button or maybe called “high or low intensity”. Vertical platforms have less amplitude overall in comparison to pivotal. Regardless of which frequency you are using, different amplitudes control the intensity of the stimulation. You can adjust amplitude to your level of comfort and ability for the frequency being used.
Frequency + Amplitude = G Force
G Force – The amount of frequency and amplitude being used on a equates to an overall g force that you are exposing yourself to while on the machine. Increasing our body to higher g force or – a higher exposure to gravity – can stimulate you body in a variety of ways offering many positive health effects. Gravity plays and vital role in the health of our muscles, bones, cardiovascular and practically every other system in our bodies. When are inactive, sitting or lying down the amount of gravity we are exposing ourselves to is reduced. Without enough stimulus from gravity the body over time slowly breaks down weakening its natural defenses, deteriorates muscle mass and bone density. Ultimately a lack of exposure to gravity prematurely ages us.
The type of g force generated by a vibration machine cannot be compared to g force in a car or an airplane as the acceleration in these examples accumulates on your body as you are moving in a single direction. Exposure to g force on a vibration machine is for a fraction of a second, numerous times per second causing your muscles to expand and contract as the plate pushes you up and down.
Using a vibration machine is a safe, fast and effective way of increasing our exposure to gravity. It’s ultra low impact and can dramatically reduce the amount of time and effort on your part in comparison to more traditional forms of exercise.
Unlike a treadmill or other types of equipment the versatility of a vibration machine offers massage and therapeutic applications in addition to physical exercise. Regardless of any physical limitations or mobility issues a person may have, adaptations can be made to accommodate almost anyone.
The human body can handle increased g-forces as seen in activities such as dragster races, airplane acrobatics and space training. The highest known acceleration voluntarily experienced by a human is 46.2 g by g-force pioneer John Stapp.
A hard slap on the face may briefly impose hundreds of g locally but not produce any real damage; The average sneeze creates G forces of 2.9, a slap on the back 4.1, and a plop down into a chair 10.1. If you jump from three feet up and land stiff-legged, write the authors of the book Physics of the Body, you’ll feel about 100 G’s momentarily”.
(source https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-g-force-that-a-human-can-resist)
Debby Pelletier
VibrationGuide.com
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