Good Vibrations Study: A comparison of whole body vibration exposure using locked or soft knees in older adults.

High frequency mechanical strain, as delivered when standing on a whole body vibration (WBV) platform, has been shown to have beneficial effects on weight bearing bone and muscle mass. Improved bone health in older adults from the use of gently vibrating platforms may be possible, but more scientific investigations are required. The role of these devices is poorly understood. This study proposes to investigate the effect of six months of WBV training on BMD, bone geometry and muscle mass and function in older adults; and to examine the dose-response relationship between optimum vibration protocols and bone mineral, bone geometry and muscle mass. The study will be a randomized controlled trial. The primary outcome measures will be BMD and muscle mass measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bone geometry and muscle area of lower limbs measured using peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT).