1. Introduction
age-related deficits, Balance impairment, spastic
HEAT
This author passed away.Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a novel exercise training measure that promotes the muscle strength, flexibility, and balance abilities of elderly groups. The feasibility and applicability of 20–30 min (lowering a heat pack at 73 °C by wrapping it in multiple layers of towels to 40–43 °C before it touched the skin) thermotherapy are increasingly being demonstrated by applications and clinical trials. Studies show that it increases the flexibility of macules and ligament. However, no studies have examined the interactions between the pre-exercise and post-exercise application of heat therapy (duration a training course). Therefore, this study investigates the effects of WBV and heat therapy on the muscle strength, flexibility, and balance abilities of elderly groups. Eighty middle-age and elderly participants with no regular exercise habits were enrolled in this study. They were randomly assigned to a WBV group, a WBV plus heat therapy group, a heat therapy alone group, and a control group. The WBV groups underwent 5-min, fixed-amplitude (4 mm), thrice-weekly WBV training sessions for 3 consecutive months on a WBV training machine. Participants’ balance was measured using the limits of stability (LOS) test on a balance system. The pretest and posttest knee extensor and flexor strength were tested using an isokinetic lower extremity dynamometer. Pretest and posttest flexibility changes were measured using the sit-and-reach test. Significantly larger pretest and posttest differences in flexibility and muscle strength were observed in the WBV and WBV plus heat therapy groups. The addition of heat therapy to WBV resulted in the largest flexibility improvements.The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) estimated that individuals older than 65 accounted for 8% of the world’s 7.06 billion population in 2012, with 35% of these individuals living in higher-income regions. One of four or five individuals in Japan, Monaco, Germany, and Italy belongs to this demographic cohort, suggesting that population aging is a worldwide phenomenon [Balance impairment has been identified as a salient fall risk. Reduced postural stability is associated with age-related deficits in sensory function, central processing, and neural pathways for musculoskeletal strength and motor control [Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a novel exercise method that takes place on a vibrating platform that generates continuous sinusoidal vibrations transmitted from the feet to the entire body to stimulate receptors in the body and create modulating effects. Vibratory stimuli were first documented to reduce the tone of spastic muscles [Heat therapy is closely associated with exercise [