Effects of local vibration on waist circumference and central obesity in overweight women with sedentary lifestyle

Abstract Background: Vibration is a therapeutic modality that improves muscle function, increases energy expenditure, and consequently reduces body fat. Local Vibration on abdominal region may reduce waist circumference through increasing local blood flow and sustaining contractions of the abdominal muscles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using vibrating belt on body composition parameters among overweight women with sedentary lifestyle. Methods: This experimental clinical study was on 35 overweight women with sedentary lifestyle. During an eight-week intervention, the effects of using vibrating belt (three sessions a week for half an hour) were investigated. Body composition was assessed via measuring waist circumference, abdominal circumference, abdominal and supra-iliac skin folds alongside the variables of an electrical bio-impedance device. Results: The mean age of participants was 37±6 years. The percentage of body fat, waist circumference, abdominal and supra-iliac skin folds were significantly decreased at the end of the study (P<0.05). Waist circumference also showed a significant decrease in the mid-point of the study, compared to the beginning (P<0.05). Abdominal skin fold also showed a significant decrease at the end of the study, compared with the mid-point (P<0.05). However, weight, BMI, Lean Body Mass, Soft Lean Mass and abdominal circumference did not change significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion: The use of vibrating belt by sedentary overweight women may reduce the percent body fat, waist circumference, abdominal and supra-iliac skin folds without any side effect. This might implicate the effect of using vibrating belts in the management of central obesity by reducing abdominal subcutaneous fat.