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The Power Plate By Lois M. Collins Deseret Morning News Feb 29, 2004 Anne Barlow sits in the wheelchair she's occupied for several years, the result of multiple sclerosis. Patty Davis, Midvale Athletic Club general manager, places Barlow's feet on a 2-foot-by-3-foot platform, adjusts some dials and steps back. Immediately, a vibration runs through Barlow's feet, up into her legs, her hips, clear to the top of her head. She's exercising, using a device called Power Plate. Based on the principle of whole-body vibration, the machine, produced by Power Plate North America LLC, has captured the attention of professional athletes, people with various mobility impairments and folks who simply want a little help to complement their normal workouts. She says she feels stronger than before she started the several-times-a-week sessions. It's easier for her to shift herself from her wheelchair to bed at night. She sleeps better. And she can even stand for a very short time and lift first one leg and then the other, hanging onto the edge of her dresser. That's something she'd lost the ability to do. Like a normal, vigorous workout, it leaves her both energized and physically tired, she adds. She hopes that it will help her achieve a big goal — one day being able to walk again. Power Plate is based on the theory that by disrupting stability in a minor way, both large and small muscles get a workout so overall muscle strength is improved. It's also touted as a way to improve flexibility and range of motion, lose weight and reduce pain, especially in the lower back. It's said to improve blood circulation and reduce joint and ligament pain. It looks like a big scale, with a pole and handles similar to those found on some treadmills. Athletes can hang onto the handles and do a variety of exercises while it vibrates 30-50 times a second, depending on how it's set. Typically, one schedules 10-minute sessions about three times a week, according to Susan Hardy, owner of the Midvale Athletic Club, where this Power Plate's located. It's not disruptive, but there's a mild sense of instability. The body seems to respond automatically to try to correct it. And that's the magic, proponents say. On a basic, neural level, all the big and little muscles work to counter the vibration. Barlow is Hardy's mother. And though she's not the reason Hardy got the device, both mother and daughter are convinced it may change Barlow's life. Davis says it's reduced swelling in Barlow's legs and overall water retention already. Besides multiple sclerosis, the device boasts a track record for helping those who normally wouldn't exercise much — people with arthritis, Parkinson's disease, stroke survivors and others — get some of the benefits of exercise. It's also touted for people with osteoporosis, a condition in which bone density is lost, or as a prevention for it. Whole- body vibration increases growth hormone levels significantly, according to studies posted on the company's Web site, http://www.power-plate.com The theory behind whole-body vibration benefiting athletes came out of Russia in the 1970s. Trainers chasing Olympic gold said it worked, which led to research by the Russian space program. Now NASA is reportedly doing its own research with the Power Plate because space travel and its zero-gravity conditions seems to degenerate bone and muscle mass, which both rely on weight-bearing activity to maintain them. The manufacturer explains how it works this way: "Power Plate produces a vibration through which energy is transferred to the human body. This mechanical stimulus produces a stretch reflex which, depending on the selected frequency, can vary from 30 to 50 times per second, resulting in muscles constantly contracting very vigorously. Exercise makes the body tired, rest allows it to recover. By repeating this process, the body adjusts to the effort, resulting in an increase in physical performance." It further claims that "100 percent of the muscle fibers contract," leading to a host of benefits. It's currently quite popular in Europe and is slowly picking up steam in the United States. The athletic club installed the Power Plate about four months ago. What struck Hardy when she began to use it was the increase in her energy level. She was pleasantly surprised that her workout on the machine left her a little sore, just like a beneficial, more traditional workout. She talks about the 60-something man who stands on cement floors all day. He said the Power Plate makes his legs and feet feel better. Or the woman who'd lost a fair amount of weight, then stopped losing. The addition of Power Plate to her workout helped, she says. Heather DeVries is next up after Barlow. She's using the Power Plate for the third time, hoping it will jump-start weight loss that has stalled a bit. The stay-at-home mom laughs that "you can literally feel it at the end of your hair." Hardy says people are welcome to try Power Plate free, though they must schedule a time. For information call 561-2200. The device isn't for everyone. There are restrictions, such as use of a pacemaker. People with severe diabetes are counseled to stay off it, as well. It's also contraindicated in anyone who has just had a surgical procedure or is pregnant. E-mail: [log in to unmask] Reference: Power Plate North America http://www.powerplateusa.com/ Power Plate - How and Why Vibration Technology Works http://www.powerplateusa.com/how.html Laura Barton subjects herself to a good non-workout to test the claims of the Power-Plate, a new vibration exercise craze http://www.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,3605,1038219,00.html SOURCE: Deseret Morning News http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590045531,00.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn