The effect of selected rest break activities on reaction time, balance, and perceived discomfort after one hour of simulated occupational whole-body vibration exposure in healthy adults.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) exposure followed by different activities on physical, cognitive, and sensorimotor systems.
Results Summary
WBV exposure followed by sitting or walking degraded reaction speed, while activities involving gaze stabilization exercises (GSE) maintained reaction time. Discomfort was higher after sitting and walking, with no notable balance differences.
Population
Eleven healthy adults.
Effective Dosage
Four 1-hour sessions of WBV exposure followed by one of four 5-minute activities.
Duration
1-hour WBV sessions with 5-minute post-activity measurements.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking activity after WBV exposure | decrease | slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes | healthy adults | 7.3% | degradation of | #1 |
sitting activity after WBV exposure | decrease | slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes | healthy adults | 8.6% | degradation of | #2 |
GSE + MOBIL activity after WBV exposure | no change | slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes | healthy adults | - | no degradation of | #3 |
GSE + WALK activity after WBV exposure | no change | slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes | healthy adults | - | no degradation of | #4 |
GSE + MOBIL activity after WBV exposure | increase | slowest 10% reaction speed | healthy adults | - | was faster than | #5 |
SIT activity after WBV exposure | increase | rating of perceived discomfort | healthy adults | - | was higher | #6 |
WALK activity after WBV exposure | increase | rating of perceived discomfort | healthy adults | - | was higher | #7 |
all activities after WBV exposure | no change | balance outcomes | healthy adults | - | no notable differences in | #8 |
activity including GSE and an active component (walking or trunk mobility exercises) after WBV exposure | no change | reaction time | healthy adults | - | resulted in maintenance of | #9 |
MATERIALS & METHODS: Eleven healthy adults participated in four 1-hour sessions of ecologically valid WBV exposure followed by one of four 5-minute activities: sitting, walking, 2 min of gaze stabilization exercise (GSE) coupled with 3 min of trunk mobility exercise (GSE + MOBIL), or 2 min of GSE coupled with a 3-minute walk (GSE + WALK). Baseline and post-activity measurements (rating of perceived discomfort, balance and postural sway measurements, 5-minute psychomotor vigilance task test) were submitted to a paired t-test to determine the effect of WBV exposure and activities on physical, cognitive, and sensorimotor systems and to a repeated measures ANOVA to determine any differences across activities. RESULTS: We observed degradation of the slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes between baseline and post-activity after walking (7.3%, p < 0.05) and sitting (8.6%, p < 0.05) but not after GSE + MOBIL or GSE + WALK activities. Slowest 10% reaction speed after GSE + MOBIL activity was faster than all other activities. The rating of perceived discomfort was higher after SIT and WALK activities. There were no notable differences in balance outcomes. CONCLUSION: When compared to sitting for 5 min, an activity including GSE and an active component, such as walking or trunk mobility exercises, resulted in maintenance of reaction time after WBV exposure. If confirmed in occupational environments, GSE may provide a simple, rapid, effective, and inexpensive means to protect against decrements in reaction time after WBV exposure.