Diet and Whole-body Vibration Training on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Function

Summary

Obesity is a major risk factor for premature arterial abnormalities including high blood pressure and increased stiffness. Previous studies have shown that weight loss via lifestyle modifications is associated with a decrease in large artery (aorta) stiffness. However, along with decreases in fat mass, hypocaloric diet reduces muscle mass. Whole body vibration results in similar increases in muscle mass and strength than those observed after resistance exercise and is feasible for special populations such as the obese and the elderly.

The investigators hypothesis is that weight loss via diet combined with whole body vibration training would additively reduce arterial stiffness and blood pressure in obese women. The investigators also hypothesize that the improved arterial function with weight loss would be associated with beneficial changes in the main mechanisms involved in BP regulation.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Pre-hypertension
• Hypertension

Interventions

OTHER

Whole Body Vibration Training

The Whole body vibration training intervention consists of lower-body exercise in a vibration platform 3 times per wk for 12 wk. The subjects will perform static and dynamic exercises for the legs on the vibration platform. Dynamic exercises will be performed with slow controlled movements starting from an upright position into a 60 degree knee flexion (squat) and maximal heel elevation (toestand). Static exercises will be performed without movement in the joint angles described previously. The training volume will increase progressively over the 12-week training period by increasing the intensity of vibration, duration of the exercise set (30-60 sec), number of sets per exercise, and total duration of the training session, and decreasing the duration of rest periods (30-60 sec).The intensity of vibration and amplitude will also be increased progressively (25-30 Hz of frequency and from low to high amplitude).

OTHER

Hypocaloric diet

The hypocaloric diet intervention consists of 12 wk of the standard Nutrisystem foods plan complemented by fresh produce and dairy. Subjects consume breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one (women) or two (men) snacks per day.

OTHER

Whole body vibration training & diet

Combination of whole body vibration training and hypocaloric diet

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nutrisystem, Inc.

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Florida State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Arturo Figueroa, M.D., Ph.D · Florida State University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-09-30

Primary Completion

2012-04-30

Completion

2012-04-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations