Effects of Acute Whole-Body Vibration Practice on Maximal Fat Oxidation in Adult Obese Male: a Pilot Study

Objective: Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has been established to be a useful method to improve physical fitness in obese individuals. However, the effects of WBV exercise on maximal fat oxidation (MFO) have not been examined in obese subjects yet. Method: MFO was evaluated during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill in 12 adult obese male (BMI = 34.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2 37 ) after three different warm-up conditions: static half squat plus WBV (HSV), static half squat without WBV (HSWV) and rest (REST). Cortisol levels were evaluated before (PRE) and after (POST) the warm-up, and 1min (T1), 10min (T10) and 30min (T30) of recovery phase. Results: MFO was significantly higher in HSV (p=0.013; 569.4±117.9 mg/min) and HSWV (p=0.033; 563.8±142.9 mg/min) than REST (445.5±117.9 mg/min). Cortisol concentrations at T1 were significantly higher in HSV (p=0.023) and HSWV (p=0.015) than REST. Moreover, cortisol concentrations were significantly lower at T30 than T1 in HSWV (p=0.04). No differences were found between T30 and T1 in HSV. Conclusions: Active warm-up increases MFO, however, vibration stimulus during half squatting does not increase MFO during a cardiopulmonary exercise test, in obese subjects. The lack of significant differences of cortisol concentrations in HSV during recovery phase might suggest a long-term effect of whole-body vibration on endocrine system.