Power Plate Rehabilitation :

Cerebral Palsy

Fibromyalgia

Reduce pain

Reducing cellulite

Obesity

Aiding weight loss

Parkinson’s Disease:

Power Plate and Parkinson’s Disease
Power Plate will most likely not have any effect on the disease, but can improve fitness and wellbeing so symptoms are reduced.

• Stability and coordination training on the Power Plate have been shown to improve both intra-muscular and inter-muscular coordination. These two components play an essential role in gait control.
• The Power Plate produces 25 to 50 vibrations per second, causing the muscles to contract reflexively. This high demand of muscle activity will cause more motor units to fire at the right time, at the right speed and with a better synchronization (therefore improving both fine and gross motor coordination as well as reaction time).
• Many clients using the Power Plate report improved sleeping patterns, which may be due to a decreased cortisol level. Power Plate may have positive influence on PD patients’ sleep cycles and reduce daytime somnolence.
• Slowed voluntary and involuntary motor responses (reaction time)
• The tri-dimensional displacement of the Power Plate platform is optimal to improve proprioception and motor control in all planes of motion.
• Pain sensations can be decreased due to the high level of stimulation of the mechano-receptors and desensitization of the pain receptors.
• Power Plate training enhances the response of fast twitch muscle fibers, leading to a higher speed of movement, limiting the chance of falling.
• Power Plate can help diminish muscle stiffness and increase flexibility through stretching modalities performed with vibration.

Spinal Cord Injury

Definition and Symptoms
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) damages the myelinated fibre tracts or white matter which carries signals to and from the brain. Depending on its classification and severity, this type of traumatic injury can also damage the grey matter in the central part of the cord, which can cause segmental loss of interneruons and motor neurons, both integral parts of the central nervous system. SCI can result from a variety of causes, including trauma, tumour, ischemia (restriction in blood supply or low blood circulation), developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, demyelinative diseases, transverse myelitis and vascular malformations. (www.wikipedia.org)
Traumatic spinal cord injury is classified into five categories by the American Spinal Injury Association and the International Spinal Cord Injury Classification System:

• A = Complete lesion
• B = Incomplete lesion: sensory but not motor function below the neurological level.
• C = Incomplete lesion: sensory and motor function below the neurological level, with more than half of the key muscles below the neurological level able to be moved actively over full range of motion .
• D = Incomplete lesion: sensory and motor function below the neurological level, with more than half of the key muscles below the neurological level able to be moved actively over full range of motion against gravity.
• E = Normal: motor and sensory scores are normal.
  (http://www.asia-spinalinjury.org/publications/2006_Classif_worksheet.pdf)

The focus for spinal cord injury rehabilitation is to help the individual reach the highest level of independence possible. The exact nature of treatment depends on the classification of the individual’s SCI and their own needs. Most SCI rehabilitation programs combine physical therapy with skill-building activities and counselling for social and emotional support. Physical therapy includes exercise programsgeared towards muscle strengthening, while occupational therapy helps to redevelop fine motor skills to assist with coordination and dexterity.

Power Plate and Spinal Cord Injury
Power Plate® equipment is already used as an intervention in Project Walk in the USA and in Standing Start in the UK. Both these projects are focused on helping patients with varying levels of SCI regain as much function as possible. “Standing Start has integrated the Power Plate® machine into their standing program. Exercise on the machine results in the subconscious stimulation of the axons, activating muscles which would otherwise have remained unused.” Standing Start (www.standingstart.org)
Research into the effects of whole body vibration training on patients with SCI, suggest that it can help:

• Increase bone mineral density (Davis et al. 2008 poster presentation)
• Reduce body fat percentage (Davis et al. 2008 poster presentation)
• Improve walking function (Ness et al. 2009)

Obesity:

Definition and Symptoms
Unfortunately, this is probably the most prevalent medical problem in the Western World. The cause is an increase of the natural energy reserves (the fatty tissues) to the point where the percentage of body fat is higher than what’s considered healthy. Obesity is typically evaluated in absolute terms by measuring BMI (body mass index). There are many different degrees of obesity, usually resulting from several other contributing factors: lack of exercise, overeating, genetics etc. Obesity occurs when you consume more calories than you use. This balance is different for each person. Obesity puts a huge strain on the heart, kidneys, liver and all large weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees and ankles; a large number of medical conditions have been associated with this condition. Health problems can be the result of increased fat mass (osteoarthritis, breathing problems) or of the increased number of fat cells (diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases). In most cases the body’s response to insulin will change, and many patients show an increased tendency to thrombosis.

Power Plate and Obesity
Exercising on Power Plate equipment can be an excellent way to support your efforts in losing weight. The vibrating platform elicits involuntary muscle activity at a rate of 30-50 muscle contractions per second. It is well known that the higher the intensity of training, the longer the body will continue burning calories after the end of the workout. This is why Power Plate is very effective in boosting the metabolism, increasing muscle mass and burning fat. Power Plate can also be very helpful in managing the side effects and complications related to other medication conditions associated with obesity (improved circulation in patients with diabetes, improved mobility and reduced pain sensations in clients with osteoarthritis, and improved lymphatic and circulatory functions in subjects with circulatory problems).

Arthritis:

Definition and Symptoms
Arthritis is in fact a collective term for over 200 different disorders of the locomotor apparatus, also known as rheumatic diseases. This includes not only the joints, but also the muscles, tendons, capsules and connective tissues. Some general features of all rheamatic disorders: constant pain and stiffness (with different patterns of both location and pain depending on the specific disease) pain in muscles and joints, and swelling of one or more joints. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent common diseases. Millions of people all over the world suffer from arthritis, in some countries as many as 1 in 3 adults. About a third of these patients have a chronic disorder, meaning for at least 6 months continuously.

Arthritis and the Power Plate

• Exercising and training on the Power Plate will stimulate the cartilage, making it possible to retain its normal function.
• The vibration of the Power Plate will cause an improvement of the circulation in the entire body, and will also stimulate a process known as ‘capillarization’ (groth of the capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in our body, providing our tissue with blood and oxygen)
• Exercise and training on the Power Plate in particular, will ensure that the synovial fluid, and consequently the cartilage, receives more oxygen and more nutrients.
• The muscle pump will stimulate the lymph drainage and thus increase the speed and efficiency with which all of the waste products are removed, such as those produced by inflammations, uric acis or the waste that is caused by the constant wear and tear of the cartilage in arthrosis
• The possibility to train the muscles, ligaments and tendons without excessively loading them. Every kind of exercise is worthwhile, mainly to prevent rigidity of the joints and make sure that the daily activities can be performed
• Strengthening the muscles, for example around the spinal column, will make sure the patient’s posture improves and he/she will have less problems with activities of daily living. Exercise will also make the muscles more flexible, reducing pain in the long run and thus improving the quality of life even further

HEALTH AND OSTEOPOROSIS:

Prevention and Treatment for those who have Bone Diseases
Acceleration Training on Power Plate improve Bone Density, reverses bone loss, counteracts the effects of micro gravity, improves strength, provides strain bones , muscles, ligaments and tendons. Power Plate training improving bone density in at-risk populations. improve their balance, postural control and coordinative abilities, Power Plate is a valuable tool for reducing fall risk in elderly and frail populations.
Acceleration training causes contractions and activation of muscle and tendon fibers, which creates  traction and compression on bones, leading to remodeling of the bone.–

POSTURAL CONTROL AND BALANCE:
Acceleration Training offers hope for many who were previously considered at risk , living with disability  or impaired through trauma , it uses the body intelligent reflexes to remember how to move , often where there has been a previous NON response . Research documenting the functional improvements in movement and potential shows positive adaptations, learning and growth in all populations where is applied.
Along with the significant contribution of acceleration to strength , bone density and general wellness, it empowers persons living with disease and disability to regain  HOPE and control of their body’s movement potential such as:
.Fall prevention specifically for the elderly.
.Reflexive Standing  from seated or kneeling positions by persons with spinal cord injury.
.The capacity to walk using a walker, to jump, for those who use wheel chair or ambulation aid.
.The return of the abilities to stand, sit, and regain balance and trunk control for for those with paralysis.
.Relief for rigidity and spasticity with the vibration-induced reflex inhibition.

This positive effects of acceleration training are common daily occurrences with the Power Plate.

WEIGHT LOSS AND METABOLISM
Burn fuel for fat loss
Acceleration training on the Power Plate supports Weight Loss and boosts metabolism.
Several factors contribute to improved metabolic efficiency and promote the body’s remodeled, muscular and improved shape. Strength training on the Power Plate increases strength, endurance, builds muscle, recruits more muscle fibers, and therefore sparks the FAT-BURNING metabolic potential.
Power Plate enhances circulation, encourages the transportation of lymphatic fluid which carries out metabolic waste and reduces the appearance and size of Cellulite . Finally, acceleration training with the Power Plate reduces Cortisol, the stress hormone, a known culprit in the storage of abdominal fat and the deleterious effects of lean-tissue loss. Research-tested exercise programs that have been written for the Power Plate offer all of strategies necessary to encourage a metabolic boost. Along with a balanced diet and strength training, utilizing the Power Plate Massage will help meeting weight losses goals.

Wellness

You don’t have to be an athlete or in need of physical therapy to benefit from using Power Plate® machines. There are health benefits possible for everyone, such as enhanced metabolism, increased bone mineral density, reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, elevation of Human Growth Hormone and improved lymphatic flow. Power Plate® machines help the body in all these ways with little impact on joints and ligaments, and without always feeling like traditional “exercise.”

Anti / Active Aging

Power Plate® machines provide a simple solution to preventing age-related muscle loss, bone density loss and skin wrinkles. Firstly, Acceleration Training™ exercise using Power Plate® machines contributes to a more youthful feeling due to an increase in the secretion of serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter. Secondly, not only can Power Plate® machines improve muscle strength, but they also help increase flexibility and range of motion while stimulating the production of collagen, creating tighter, more beautiful skin. And finally Power Plate® machines help play a vital role in enhancing wellness and overall quality of life.

Weight Loss

From http://us.powerplate.com/EN/newsevents/newsevents.aspx

News & Events : Keeping Up With Power Plate Vibrations

Power Plate International Ltd’s innovative machines and the support network behind them keeps people around the world talking about the benefits of Power Plate® technology.  We’ll do our best to keep you up on the latest news, events and training here.

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NEW STUDY FINDS POWER PLATE® EXERCISE AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS, REDUCTION OF HARMFUL VISCERAL FAT : Irvine, CA (May 11, 2009) – New research presented at the 17th European Congress on Obesity (ECO) suggests that exercise done on Power Plate® vibration plate exercise machines in conjunction with a healthy diet may help people lose weight and trim harmful belly fat.The study, conducted at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, found that overweight or obese people who regularly undertook Power Plate® exercise were more successful at long-term weight loss and shedding visceral or belly fat (which is associated with a higher susceptibility to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes) than those who combined dieting with a more conventional fitness routine and those who simply dieted.

The study was conducted over a six month period, after which subjects returned to their daily lives and reported back for retesting at 12 months. In terms of weight loss:

• The “Power Plate®” group lost 11 percent of their body weight and maintained a 10.5 percent loss
• The diet and conventional fitness group lost 7 percent and maintained a 6.9 percent loss
• The diet only group lost 6 percent, and maintained less than 5 percent loss

Even more promising was the reduction of visceral fat:

• The “Power Plate®” group lost 47.8 sq. cm. (18.8 in.), and maintained a loss of 47.7 sq. cm (18.7 in.)
• The diet and conventional fitness group lost only 17.6 sq. cm. (6.93 in.), and maintained only a 1.6 sq. cm (.63 in) loss
• The diet only group lost 24.3 sq. cm. (9.57 in.) and maintained only 7.5 sq. cm. (2.95 in.) loss

“We are extremely encouraged by the results of this study, especially in terms of the reduction of visceral fat,” said Guss Van Der Meer, Founder of Power Plate®. “Obesity is a major concern both in the United States and worldwide and we are excited that Power Plate® exercise may provide a low-impact way for people to lose weight and belly fat.”

Power Plate® is the global leader in vibration training products and company most responsible for pioneering the use of Acceleration Training™ through Advanced Vibration Technology. For more information regarding Power Plate® products and accessories, please visit www.powerplate.com.

Submitted for publication.

One of the biggest health issues for obese people is visceral (or abdominal) fat. Visceral fat is the fat tissue between the organs in the abdomen. It is a major health concern because there is a strong correlation between high levels of visceral fat and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

The study of Vissers et al. (2009) involved 79 obese adults (61 of whom completed the study), who were randomly divided into 4 groups:

Group 1 received a hypocaloric (low in calories) diet only program (DIET).

Group 2 received a hypocaloric diet plus fitness program (cardio and weights exercises) (FITNESS).

Group 3 received a hypocaloric diet and progressive Power Plate® machine program (see figure 1)

(POWER PLATE)

Group 4 made no changes to their lifestyle (CONTROL).

Each group followed the intervention for six months and had a six month ‘no intervention’ follow up. The anthropometric data, body composition and metabolic features were measured at three, six and 12 months. One measurement performed was the determination of visceral fat tissue.

In all three intervention groups (DIET, FITNESS and POWER PLATE) body weight decreased significantly, by 5-10%, which is the international standard for a real impact on health, in measurements taken after the 6 intervention months. Only the FITNESS and POWER PLATE groups managed to maintain their weight loss of 5% or more in the six ‘no intervention’ months (see figure 1). The POWER PLATE group even maintained a weight loss of over 10 %. The mean weight in the POWER PLATE group was 95.2 kg, in which case 10% means that they lost 9.5 kg of their body weight, which is a considerable amount and is regarded to be significant enough to improve health.

The main difference between the POWER PLATE group and other groups is in the decrease of visceral fat that occurred. As illustrated in figure 2, the POWER PLATE group lost twice as much visceral fat after six months, when compared to the FITNESS and DIET groups. The decrease in visceral fat also remained at the same level in the POWER PLATE group after 12 months, while the DIET and FITNESS groups returned to their baseline values after 12 months.

Figure 1.

There was a significant difference in weight loss, expressed as a percentage of initial weight, between the 4 study groups (p<0.001).

Whole body vibration can reduce abdominal fat in weight and obese adults .