Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on functions required for bowling performance of male bowling player

Article information

J Exerc Rehabil Vol. 15, No. 1, 78-87, February, 2019

Publication date (electronic) : 2019 February 25

doi : https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1938038.019

Jun-Su Kim

Department of Kinesiology, Inha University, Incheon, Korea

^*Corresponding author: Jun-Su Kim, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7078-4926, Department of Kinesiology, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea, E-mail: kjskjs777@hanmail.net

Received 2018 December 3; Accepted 2019 January 22.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Bowling requires consideration of the player’s own physical characteristics and techniques within the environment of bowling arena as well as independent space (lane, approach) and choice of balls to function efficiently in accordance with the lane condition. Therefore, it is required for a bowling player to seek for harmony among his or her environmental adaptation, techniques and physical characteristics and also high level of concentration.

Wirth et al. (2011) stated that reinforced lower-limb strength serves an important function by effectively controlling the center of gravity. In addition, bowling is a unilateral exercise which requires throwing a heavy ball strongly and maintaining the accurate finish posture after a series of movements. The last finish posture is a phase to reduce the momentum by smooth sliding which gives increased pressure on waist, knees and shoulders. Excessive force may be applied during the back swing so it could cause physical imbalance followed by reduction of harmonized movement by upper and lower part of the body. Therefore, proper operation and movement of the core muscles composed of a bowling player’s spine, pelvis, buttocks and abdomen reduce distortion of shoulders and waist while creating harmonized movement of upper and lower body, which in turn enables effective bowling movement and prevents injuries during the training and games (Krabak and Kennedy, 2008; Verhagen et al., 2004).

Eventually, a successful movement of a bowling player requires not only technical movements but also scientific and efficient training to improve physical functions. Among the previous research focusing on reinforcing bowling players’ strength of upper and lower-limb, there is a dearth of studies on effective training considering the physical factors of bowling players. In particular, there is no research on training programs to strengthen core muscles to improve body balance. In this sense, an effective training program is required to improve athletic performance by reinforcing core muscles and lower-limb strength.

Recently, muscular function training using whole body vibration (WBV) exercise is being widely used as the exercise equipment to reinforce the lower-limb strength and body balance (Jepsen et al., 2017). WBV exercise is safe, convenient and brings diverse physical effects such as in musculoskeletal system, circulatory system and endocrine system. It gives a new type of stimulation to the human body through rapid and strong muscle contraction by artificially adjusting the gravitational load on the body. There is no risk factor in WBV unlike other resistance exercises which may cause sports injuries by giving excessive stimulations on the human body followed by lifting heavy weights. WBV exercise improves muscular functions by controlling the weight to avoid excessive pressure on the body.

Among the previous literature on WBV, Bosco et al. (1999) reported that effects of WBV in reinforcing the lower-limb strength are identical to those of leg-press exercise by studying six female volleyball players. Delecluse et al. (2003) reported improvement of static and dynamic muscular strength by conducting 12 weeks of weight training and WBV exercise after dividing 67 females without prior exercise experience into two groups. In particular, they reported that the group applied with WBV exercise demonstrated higher muscular power. Abercromby et al. (2007) reported significantly increased muscular strength in vastus lateralis, bicephalus femoris, gastrocnemius and anterior tibial muscle as a result of conducting WBV exercise to 16 healthy adults. These previous studies are limited to the research conducted to ordinary people to see if WBV exercise is effective in improving body composition and muscle strength. On the contrary, there has been no research that examined the impact of WBV exercise on bowling players’ lower-limb strength and core muscles to improve their athletic performance. Therefore, this research aims to analyze and investigate the impact of WBV exercise on bowling players’ lower-limb strength and core muscles to improve their athletic performance as well as suggest effective training programs for better performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research subjects

The subjects of this research are 20 bowling players registered in Korea Bowling Association and they were randomly divided into 10 players applied with WBV exercise and 10 players as the control group. During the experimentation, two players were injured and one player was dropped out so the experiment was conducted to 17 players of which WBV group consisted of eight players and control group consisted of nine players. The research subjects satisfied following criteria and they were explained with the research contents and objective, experimental process, human rights protection of the subjects and all information related to the research. They all understood the intention of this research and voluntarily agreed to the participation. Table 1 demonstrates the characteristics of the subjects. Following criteria were applied: Bowling players with more than five years of experience who are registered in Korea Bowling Association. Players with average score of above 200. Players with no health problems in cardiovascular system, respiratory system and orthopedics.

Table 1

Characteristic of subjects

Research process

In this research, 17 male bowling players (eight players in experimental and nine players in control group) who are registered in Korea Bowling Association were applied with 8 weeks of WBV exercise before playing six bowling events. The research was designed to examine the impact of WBV exercise on factors which affect bowling performance such as truncus, lower-limb strength and balance, before and after the experiment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Schematic diagram of study process.

RESULTS

Changes in maximum rotatory force of flexor and extensor in truncus

Among the measured variables of each group, Table 2 demonstrates the descriptive statistics regarding the maximum rotatory force of flexor and extensor in truncus by each period.

Table 2

The change of flexor and extensor peak torque at descriptive statistics estimate of covariate (unit: Nm/kg)

In the pretest regarding maximum rotatory force of flexor, the WBV group showed 196.3±44.3 before the bowling event and 184.3±28.2 after the bowling event, whereas the control group showed 221.2±43.4 before the bowling event which was reduced to 198.4±36.6 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 237.1±57.7 before the bowling event and 212.1± 46.8 after the bowling event, whereas the control group showed 212.7±36.6 before the bowling event which was reduced to 179.3±54.3 after the bowling event.

In the pretest regarding maximum rotatory force of extensor, the WBV group showed 368.7±34.9 before the bowling event and 352.1±47.5 after the bowling event, whereas the control group showed 362.3±63.1 before the bowling event which was increased to 373.0±66.7 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 423.4±74.1 before the bowling event and 419.9±94.3 after the bowling event, whereas the control group showed 357.4±82.8 before the bowling event which was reduced to 325.3±50.7 after the bowling event.

Table 3 demonstrates the result of repeated measured ANOVA to examine the changes in maximum rotatory force of flexor and extensor in truncus.

Table 3

The difference of flexor and extensor peak torque between groups tested by repeated measured analysis of variance

The results of repeated measured ANOVA showed that the changes were not significant for flexor, which was significant in terms of measurement timing and interactions (F=5.56, P<0.01; F=4.93, P<0.01). As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest as well as after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=7.14, P<0.05; F=6.24, P<0.01).

The extensor did not show significant difference in terms of main effects between the groups and measurement timing but showed significant difference in the interactions (F=4.66, P<0.01). As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference only between after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=11.93, P<0.01).

Changes in maximum rotatory force of flexor and extensor in lower-limb

Table 4 demonstrates the descriptive statistics regarding the maximum rotatory force of flexor in lower-limb by each period.

Table 4

The change of flexor and extensor peak torque at descriptive statistics and estimate of covariate (unit: Nm/kg)

In the pretest of right lower-limb’s muscular strength, the WBV group showed 115.44±22.16 before the bowling event and 107.78±26.06 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 132.00±23.04 before the bowling event which was reduced to 122.67±21.31 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 141.67±23.00 before the bowling event and 134.00±20.35 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 120.33±24.01 before the bowling event which was reduced to 108.56±26.29 after the bowling event.

In the pretest of left lower-limb’s muscular strength, the WBV group showed 112.89±34.68 before the bowling event and 107.56±41.05 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 122.67±23.61 before the bowling event which was reduced to 114.44±23.89 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 141.00±33.81 before the bowling event and 136.00±34.17 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 116.67±21.78 before the bowling event which was reduced to 108.78±23.51 after the bowling event.

In the pretest of right side extensor-weight ratio, the WBV group showed 217.67±55.13 before the bowling event and 216.44±52.65 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 245.44±50.78 before the bowling event which was reduced to 230.00±45.91 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 256.78±54.50 before the bowling event and 243.44±60.07 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 214.00±26.00 before the bowling event which was reduced to 205.11±49.43 after the bowling event.

In the pretest of left side extensor-weight ratio, the WBV group showed 220.33±69.18 before the bowling event and 217.89±67.52 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 245.44±50.78 before the bowling event which was reduced to 230.00±45.91 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 261.89±43.37 before the bowling event and 243.33±41.65 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 212.67±37.64 before the bowling event which was reduced to 199.11±48.43 after the bowling event.

Table 5 demonstrates the result of repeated measured ANOVA to examine the changes in maximum rotatory force of flexor in lower-limb.

Table 5

The difference of flexor peak torque between groups tested by repeated measured analysis of variance

The results of repeated measured ANOVA for right lower-limb’s muscular strength showed significant difference in measurement timing and interactions (F=10.93, P<0.001) whereas there was no significant difference in the main effect. As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest as well as after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=14.37, P<0.01; F=12.91, P<0.01).

The results of repeated measured ANOVA for left lower-limb’s muscular strength showed significant difference in measurement timing and interactions whereas there was no significant difference in the main effect (F=4.84, P<0.01; F=8.35, P<0.001). As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest as well as after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=11.11, P<0.01; F=9.41, P<0.01).

Table 6 demonstrates the result of repeated measured ANOVA to examine the changes in maximum rotatory force of extensor.

Table 6

The difference of extensor peak torque between groups tested by repeated measured analysis of variance

The results of repeated measured ANOVA for maximum rotatory force of right side extensor showed significant difference in the interactions (F=5.03, P<0.001) whereas there was no significant difference in the main effect. As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest (F=12.05, P<0.001).

The results of repeated measured ANOVA for maximum rotatory force of left side extensor, there was significant difference in the interactions (F=4.87, P<0.01) whereas there was no significant difference in the main effect. As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest (F=8.60, P<0.05).

Changes in balance

Table 7 demonstrates the descriptive statistics regarding the balance. In the pretest of balance, the WBV group showed 27.44± 20.42 before the bowling event and 26.00±16.93 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 18.33±9.33 before the bowling event which was increased to 18.67±6.96 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 98.22±51.28 before the bowling event and 101.67±53.08 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 17.00±9.58 before the bowling event which was increased to 19.44±10.67 after the bowling event.

Table 7

The change of balance at descriptive statistics and estimate of covariate (unit: sec)

In the pretest of left side balance, the WBV group showed 27.33±27.25 before the bowling event and 24.78±24.02 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 20.44± 12.60 before the bowling event which was reduced to 18.00± 10.11 after the bowling event. In the posttest, the WBV group showed 90.67±55.49 before the bowling event and 91.11±54.53 after the bowling event whereas the control group showed 25.00± 16.96 before the bowling event which was reduced to 19.44± 13.00 after the bowling event.

Table 8 demonstrates the result of repeated measured ANOVA to examine the changes in balance.

Table 8

The difference of accuracy between groups tested by repeated measured analysis of variance

The results of repeated measured ANOVA for right side balance showed significant difference in the main effects, timing and interactions (F=21.67, P<0.001). As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest as well as after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=22.25, P<0.001; F=24.78 P<0.001).

In terms of left side balance, there was significant difference in the main effects, timing and interactions (F=24.90, P<0.001; F=20.67, P<0.001). As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference between before the bowling event during the pretest and before the bowling event during the posttest as well as after the bowling event during the pretest and after the bowling event during the posttest (F=21.04, P<0.001; F=27.21, P<0.001).

DISCUSSION

Increasing number of studies have reported the positive impact of WBV exercise on morphological and functional development of muscular fibers (Miyazaki, 2000; Rittweger, 2010). In particular, in advanced countries including Europe where vibration is classified as an exercise intervention, a number of studies have examined physical strength improvement of athletes as a means to improve their performance in the field of sports (Bosco et al., 1999; Cochrane and Stannard, 2005) whereas there are no studies on bowling players. In this sense, this research is focused on the impact of WBV exercise on truncus, lower-limb strength and balance of bowling players who are registered in Korea Bowling Association.

First, I used isokinetic machine to measure the strength of truncus and lower-limb after WBV exercise at 60°/sec. The results showed no significant difference between groups in their maximum rotatory force of flexor but there was significant difference in measurement timing. As a result of individual comparison, there was significant difference in before and after the WBV exercise in advance to the bowling event as well as in before and after the WBV exercise followed by the bowling event. In addition, although the maximum rotatory force in extensor of truncus did not show significant difference in the measurement timing but individual comparison within the groups showed significant difference in after the bowling event during the pretest and posttest. These results indicate that WBV exercise is effective for improving the truncus strength of bowling players. However, it is assumed that the reason there was no difference between groups in terms of rotatory force in flexor and extensor of truncus is that research subjects were professional and college bowling players who have more than 10 years of athletic career.

Among the previous studies on WBV exercise, relatively fewer studies have examined its impact on truncus strength than those which have examined its impact on lower-limb strength. Truncus strength enables effective movement of lower-limb and helps prevention of injuries (Krabak and Kennedy, 2008; Verhagen et al., 2004). In particular, Myer et al. (2008) reported that truncus strength is the most important factor for maintaining the body stability, which in turn enables free movement of upper and lower-limb. These previous studies indicate the importance of truncus strength but there is a dearth of studies on WBV. Therefore, it would be meaningful to verify the effectiveness of WBV exercise on bowling players’ truncus strength. The findings from Rittweger (2010) support the results of this study by proving the positive impact of WBV exercise on back pain patients’ flexor and extensor strength.

A bowling player should be able to throw a 14–16 pound ball consistently by series of sliding on a short distance of lane. Therefore, reinforcement of lower-limb strength is an important factor which affects the performance. Wirth et al. (2011) mentioned that reinforced lower-limb strength serves an important function by effectively controlling the center of gravity. In this sense, I examined the maximum rotatory force of left and right flexor and extensor in lower-limb strength by conducting WBV exercise on bowling players. The results showed significant difference in measurement timing between groups in terms of both left and right side. The results of individual comparison within the groups showed significant difference in before and after the WBV exercise in advance to the bowling event as well as in before and after the WBV exercise followed by the bowling event. Although the maximum rotatory force of extensor did not show significant difference in the measurement timing but individual comparison within the groups showed significant difference in before and after the WBV exercise in advance to the bowling event.

These results are similar to those of Mahieu et al. (2006) who reported significant difference in isokinetic muscular strength after conducting 6 weeks of WBV exercise in squatting position for Belgian junior ski players. Also, the results are supported by Krabak and Kennedy (2008) who reported significant improvement in lower-limb strength by applying WBV exercise in squatting position for female volleyball players and also corroborated by the findings of Cochrane and Stannard (2005) who reported significant improvement in lower-limb strength and counter movement jump (CMJ) after conducting diverse types of WBV exercise including the squatting position for female hockey players. Bosco et al. (2000) reported significant improvement in lower-limb strength by conducting WBV exercise in squatting position for healthy adult males. Therefore, the findings of this research support the argument that improvement in muscular strength followed by WBV exercise is due to reinforced cocontraction of synergist muscles by increasing simultaneous activation of motor nerves, which in turn causing further activation of the nerve system. For this research, I referred to previous studies and applied more suitable positions for bowling players including the squatting position on the WBV exercise foothold. Future studies should focus on multilateral aspects when applying the WBV exercise such as length of athletic career, gender, age group, etc. and cover increased number of players.

Bowling is a game to throw a ball towards 10 pins at 18-m distance and requires high level of concentration and balance in order to completely knock down the pins (Devan and Tanaka, 2007). Therefore, I examined the impact of WBV exercise on the balance, which is an important factor in bowling performance. However, previous studies on the impact of WBV exercise on balance were mostly focused on the elderly and patients (Gusi et al., 2006; Verschueren et al., 2004) and there were almost no studies conducted on athletes. Balance can be divided into static balance which is a capability to stand still on a fixed surface and dynamic balance which is a capability to control the position without falling down while moving the body (Vuillerme et al., 2008). In this research, I examined the static balance which is the capability of bowling players to swing steadily during the release.

The research results showed significant difference between the groups and in measurement timing in terms of left and right balance. The results of individual comparison within the groups for right side showed significant difference in before and after WBV exercise in advance to the bowling event whereas the left side showed significant difference in before and after WBV exercise in advance to as well as followed by the bowling event. These results are similar to those of Torvinen et al. (2002) who reported 15.7% of significant difference in balance by conducting 8 weeks of WBV exercise on 60 healthy adults. Keays et al. (2003) mentioned that reinforced lower-limb strength is an important factor to efficiently control the center of gravity and serves an important role in improving the balance and stability by stabilizing the knees during walking. Verschueren et al. (2004) reported that 6 months of WBV exercise on 70 menopausal females brought significant difference in their static balance. Therefore, the fact that there was significant difference in balance in terms of groups and measurement timing is due to activation of core muscles through reinforced truncus and lower-limb strength.

In particular, one notable finding of this research is that there was significant difference in physical factors between the bowling event in advance to the WBV exercise and the bowling event after the WBV exercise. This finding indicates that WBV exercise brought positive effects on muscular functions and balance even after the 3 hr of bowling games. In general, Korean bowling players do not have resting phase and participate in bowling events every month thus loss in physical strength and small injuries may have largely negative impact on performance. Furthermore, considering the risk of injuries followed by existing training methods for improving muscular functions, WBV exercise is an efficient method to safely maximize physical strength within a short period of time.

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