use of vibration for stretching & flexibility

synchrolady · Post by **synchrolady** » Jan 08, 2005 20:45

Mr Kurz--

I am curious if you have experience with using vibration in conjuction with stretching for splits to achieve over-splits. In the sport of synchronized swimming, flat water splits are required -- to achieve flat water splits, our athletes train for both R/L over-splits on land.

Consultants/experts at the OTC in Colorado Springs mentioned using a low speed vibration (30mhz-?) against the muscle being stretched. I am pursuing more information via those channels, but wondered if you have ever used this method?

Post by **Thomas Kurz** » Jan 09, 2005 10:27

Yes, it is effective and it is used in rehab. Ask experts at the OTC about it. There are research papers on it.

I have not used it. I did not want greater range of motion without commensurate increase of strength to provide normal stability.

koryodan · Post by **koryodan** » May 12, 2005 14:03

Hi, sorry to but in Mr Kurz but I am just curious on this subject!

How does the mechanism behind vibration and stretching work? Does it relax the contracted muscle in order to stretch? And what devices and methods can be used to try this? Would a tens machine work?

Thanks Mr Kurz, hope to hear from you soon!

Post by **Thomas Kurz** » Aug 26, 2005 13:08

I do not know. Research suggests that vibration's effect on flexibility is due to inhibition of primary afferent neurons that innervate muscle spindles. You can search for articles on that at http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi and at http://www.ms-se.com . Practically, it does not matter what is the mechanism behind the effect of vibration on flexibility, or strength, or whatever, as long as one follows the rule: If it feels good during and after (WAY AFTER!) then it is good.