Margaret Jones, Cortes Parker and Cortes Nelson

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Purpose: To examine the effects of regular whole-body vibration (WBV) training on lower body strength and power. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III softball athletes (n = 9) completed the 9-week protocol as part of their off-season strength and conditioning program.

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Conclusions: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between groups or between groups and testing period for the standing long jump (SLJ), vertical counter-movement jump (VCMJ), and estimated 1RM back squat. Increases (p < 0.05) were observed in SLJ, VCMJ, and back squat from pretest to posttest 1. Back squat increased (p < 0.05) from post-test 1 to post-test 2. All the athletes experienced significantly greater (p < 0.05) percent changes from pretest to post-test 1 for SLJ and VCMJ. These results indicate that the inclusion of WBV as part of an off-season strength and conditioning program has no apparent benefit over conventional strength training methods for collegiate softball players.

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IN PLAIN ENGLISH: Whole body vibration training: another unnecessary, expensive and impractical training mode. Get back to time-proven old-school hard work and perseverance.