Exercising on a vibrating machine has positive effects on cognitive function

A body vibration exercise machine is more than a fitness tool, as the health effects of this form of training are not limited to strengthening the muscles or improving one’s body composition. According to researchers, working out on a vibrating machine exerts positive effects on one’s cognitive function, boosting mood and promoting the release of endorphins in the brain.

Study shows link between vibration training and cognitive performance

Researchers at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, have recently published a study on the effects of whole body vibration training on one’s cognitive performance, showing that exercising on a vibrating machine has similar effects to practicing conventional strength workouts. The research was conducted on 112 healthy adults, who performed passive training on a body vibration exercise machine for 2 minutes, at a frequency of 30Hz.

Results of this study showed that simply standing on a vibrating machine for such a short period of time can positively impact one’s attention and mood. According to the scientists who conducted this study, WBV training could be an alternative to conventional cognition-enhancing therapy in people who aren’t able to practice classical workouts.

Although both cardio and strength exercises can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are associated with feelings of well-being, it’s generally easier to experience the mood-boosting effects of exercise after a cardio workout, as the euphoric feelings appear faster. With strength exercises, it can take around 1 hour to experience the same effects, so if whole body vibration training can improve one’s mood in a significantly shorter time, it’s surely worth taking advantage of this form of workout.

Exercises on a vibrating machine, beneficial in ADHD sufferers

The effects of WBV training on one’s cognition and attention were investigated in several studies, researchers at the University of Groningen showing that working out on a whole body vibration exercise machine has a small but positive effect in people with attention deficit disorders.

These findings are encouraging, if we consider the fact that the subjects performed only 2 minutes of whole body vibration training. Moreover, according to the same study, patients with ADHD experienced similar effects to healthy participants, so it’s worth investigating vibration training as a potential alternative to the available medication-based ADHD treatments.