The effects of whole‐body vibration amplitude on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and skeletal muscle oxygenation

Whole‐body vibration (WBV) is an exercise mimetic that elicits beneficial metabolic effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of WBV amplitude on metabolic, inflammatory, and muscle oxygenation responses. Forty women and men were assigned to a high (HI; n = 20, Age: 31 ± 6 y) or a low‐amplitude group (LO; n = 20, Age: 33 ± 6 y). Participants engaged in 10 cycles of WBV [1 cycle =1 min of vibration followed by 30 s of rest], while gastrocnemius muscle oxygen consumption (mVO(2)) was assessed using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Blood samples were collected PRE, POST, 1H, 3Hs, and 24H post‐WBV and analyzed for insulin, glucose, and IL‐6. In the LO group, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistant (HOMA‐IR) at 3 h (0.7 ± 0.2) was significantly lower compared to PRE (1.1 ± 0.2; p = 0.018), POST (1.3 ± 0.3; p = 0.045), 1H (1.3 ± 0.3; p = 0.010), and 24H (1.4 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). In addition, at 24H, HOMA‐IR was significantly lower in the LO when compared to the HI group (LO: 1.4 ± 0.2 vs. HI: 2.2 ± 0.4; p = 0.030). mVO(2) was higher (p = 0.003) in the LO (0.93 ± 0.29 ml/min/100 ml) when compared to the HI group (0.63 ± 0.28 ml/min/100 ml). IL‐6 at 3H (LO: 13.2 ± 2.7 vs. HI: 19.6 ± 4.0 pg·ml(−1); p = 0.045) and 24H (LO: 4.2 ± 1.1 vs. HI: 12.5 ± 3.1 pg·ml(−1); p = 0.016) was greater in the HI compared to the LO group. These findings indicate that low‐amplitude WBV provides greater metabolic benefits compared to high‐amplitude WBV

Endothelin‐1 response to whole‐body vibration in obese and normal weight individuals

Upregulation of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is the hallmark of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The purpose of the present study was to assess the ET‐1 response to an acute bout of whole‐body vibration (WBV) in humans and to determine the role of adiposity. Twenty‐two participants volunteered for the study; they were grouped into overweight/obese [(OW/OB): n = 11, Age: 33 ± 4 years, Body mass index (BMI): 35 ± 10 kg/m(2)] or normal weight [(NW): n = 11, Age: 28 ± 7 years, BMI: 21 ± 2 kg/m(2)]. Participants engaged in 10 cycles of WBV exercise (1 cycle = 1 min WBV followed by 30 s of rest). Blood samples were analyzed for ET‐1 pre‐WBV (PRE), immediately post (POST), 1 h (1H), 3 h (3H), and 24 h (24H) post‐WBV. There was a significant time main effect of WBV on circulating ET‐1 (F = 12.5, p < 0.001); however, the ET‐1 response was similar (F = 0.180, p = 0.677) between groups. Specifically, compared to PRE, a significant increase in ET‐1 was observed at 1H (p = 0.017) and 3H (p = 0.025). In addition, concentrations of ET‐1 were significantly lower at 24H compared to PRE (p = 0.019), 1H (p < 0.001), and 3H (p < 0.001). Maximal oxygen uptake during WBV was similar between the two groups. Acute WBV resulted in an initial rise in ET‐1, followed by a significantly lower ET‐1 at 24H in both groups. Findings support the utility of routine WBV exercise to elicit a decrease in ET‐1 and improve CVD risk, similar to what has been reported with traditional modes of exercise

Three-dimensional route planning for large grids

We have developed a 3D route planner, called 3DPLAN, which employs the A* algorithm to find optimum paths. The A* algorithm has a major advantage compared to other search methods because it is guaranteed to give the optimum path. In spite of this significant advantage, no one has previously used A* in 3D searches as far as we are aware. The probable reason for this is the belief that the computational cost of using A* for 3D route planning would be prohibitive. In this paper we show that, on the contrary, it is quite feasible to use A* for 3D searches if one employs the new mobility and threat heuristics that we have developed. These new heuristics substantially speed up the A* algorithm so that the run times are quite reasonable for the large grids that are typical of 3D searches

Whole body vibration elicits differential immune and metabolic responses in obese and normal weight individuals

Traditional aerobic exercise reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases by inducing immune, metabolic, and myokine responses. Following traditional exercise, both the magnitude and time-course of these beneficial responses are different between obese compared to normal weight individuals. Although obesity may affect the ability to engage in traditional exercise, whole body vibration (WBV) has emerged as a more tolerable form of exercise . The impact of WBV on immune, metabolic, and myokine responses as well as differences between normal weight and obese individuals, however, is unknown. Purpose: To determine if WBV elicits differential magnitudes and time-courses of immune, metabolic, and myokine responses between obese and normal weight individuals. Methods: 21 participants [Obese (OB): n = 11, Age: 33 ± 4 y, percent body fat (%BF): 39.1 ± 2.4% &amp; Normal weight (NW) n = 10, Age: 28 ± 8 y, %BF: 17.4 ± 2.1%] engaged in 10 cycles of WBV exercise [1 cycle = 1 min of vibration followed by 30 s of rest]. Blood samples were collected pre-WBV (PRE), immediately (POST), 3 h (3H), and 24 h (24H) post-WBV and analyzed for leukocytes, insulin, glucose, and myokines (IL-6, decorin, myostatin). Results: The peak (3H) percent change in neutrophil counts (OB: 13.9 ± 17.4 vs. NW: 47.2 ± 6.2%Δ; p = 0.007) was different between groups. The percent change in neutrophil percentages was increased in NW (POST: -1.6 ± 2.0 vs. 3H: 13.0 ± 7.2%Δ, p = 0.019) but not OB (p > 0.05). HOMA β-cell function was increased at 24H (PRE: 83.4 ± 5.4 vs. 24H: 131.0 ± 14.1%; p = 0.013) in NW and was not altered in OB (p > 0.05). PRE IL-6 was greater in OB compared to NW (OB: 2.7 ± 0.6 vs. NW: 0.6 ± 0.1 pg/mL; p = 0.011); however, the percent change from PRE to peak (3H) was greater in NW (OB: 148.1 ± 47.9 vs. NW: 1277.9 ± 597.6 %Δ; p = 0.035). Creatine kinase, decorin, and myostatin were not significantly altered in either group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that acute whole body vibration elicits favorable immune, metabolic, and myokine responses and that these responses differ between obese and normal weight individuals