Effect of vibration on short-term neuromuscular performance in cycling

The distinguished journal "Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise" (MSSE) highlights in the current issue an article from the German Sport University on the biomechanics of vibration during road cycling.

“[…] Viellehner and Potthast investigated the effect of vibration on short-term neuromuscular performance in cycling. For this purpose, the vibration stimulus acting on the musculoskeletal system, the neuromuscular response and the resulting metabolic demands were analyzed. Their key findings were that vibration is transmitted to the entire musculoskeletal system. Since the main propulsive muscles such as the vastus lateralis or rectus femoris did not systematically increase activation during vibration, the effect on propulsion was considered to be limited. High vibration loads and increased muscular activation of the hand–arm system suggest that the vibration related additional oxygen uptake of 2.7% is also the result of non-propulsive, stabilizing tasks on the bike. These results suggest potential areas of focus for training interventions and equipment development."

https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/pages/default.aspx