A BRIEF HISTORY
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) was originally developed by the Russian scientist Vladimir Nazarovs in the 1960's to combat the reduction in muscle wasting and loss of bone density experienced by cosmonauts under zero gravity, His goal was to reduce the detrimental effects of prolonged exposure to zero gravity on the bodies of the Russian cosmonauts. It is considered to have been responsible for the cosmonauts exceptional record of 420 days in space, compared to American astronauts return back to Earth after 120 days.
Normally, gravitational force and its impact on our bodies helps us maintain strong muscles and bones. This is not the case in a zero gravity environment as the lack of gravitational force provides misinformation and leads to the breakdown of muscle (muscle atrophy), a reduction of bone density (osteoporosis) and the reduction of neuromuscular control (poor balance and coordination).
After these original studies utilizing Whole Body Vibration revealed promising results, this technology was adapted by the European Space Ageny and NASA for those same purposes. In 1999 Dutch Olympic Trainer Guss van der Meer adapted the techniques, first for the elite athlete and then for people of all ages, weights and fitness levels.
Since then, as its usage has spread to professional athletics, hospitals, and health clubs and has now been adopted by many of the world’s top sporting teams and healthcare practitioners, due in part to the reduced amount of time to achieve significant benefits. WBV Celebrities and athletes such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Tatiana Gregorieva and Lance Armstron have built this into their fitness training.
Much research has been performed to truly understand the ways in which Whole Body Vibration can benefit the world at large. Many of these studies have demonstrated statistically significant results and have offered an increasing amount of support for its effectiveness as a form of exercise. Now these benefits can be yours.
