# High-Intensity Interval Training with Vibration as Rest Intervals Attenuates Fiber Atrophy and Prevents Decreases in Anaerobic Performance

PMID: 25679998
Journal: PLOS ONE
Published: 2015-02-13
Authors: Mueller SM, Aguayo D, Zuercher M, Fleischmann O, Boutellier U, Auer M, Jung HH, Toigo M

## Question

Does adding whole-body vibration during HIIT recovery intervals preserve anaerobic performance and muscle fiber size while maintaining aerobic gains?

## Summary

In recreationally active men, 8 weeks of cycling HIIT improved aerobic fitness whether recovery periods used easy cycling or whole-body vibration. Conventional active-recovery HIIT reduced some anaerobic and muscle fiber outcomes, while replacing recovery with vibration prevented those decreases.

## Population

- Healthy recreationally active men
- Sample size: 33
- Age: Group means 26.0 to 27.8 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Recreationally active
- Health status: Healthy volunteers

## Methodology

- Four-arm randomized matched training intervention
- 8 weeks
- Supervised laboratory cycling and vibration-plate training
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HIT+VIB.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer with vibration recovery.
- Work intervals: 4 min at 75% Ppeak.
- Recovery: 3 min standing half-squat vibration plus transitions.
- Sets or repetitions: 4.
- Intensity: 75% Ppeak; vibration 18 or 30 Hz.
- Session duration: About 35 min.
- Frequency: 2 to 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: 3% Ppeak increase after completing all intervals.
- HIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: 4 min at 75% Ppeak.
- Recovery: 4 min active cycling at 40% Ppeak.
- Sets or repetitions: 4.
- Intensity: 75% Ppeak work intervals.
- Session duration: About 35 min.
- Frequency: 2 to 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: 3% Ppeak increase after completing all intervals.

## Outcomes

### Aerobic fitness
Status: improved
All HIT-containing groups improved CP, Ppeak, VO2peak, cardiac output, stroke volume, and capillary-to-fiber ratio.

VO2peak increased about 4.5% to 6.0% across HIT-containing groups.

### Anaerobic performance
Status: mixed
Conventional HIT decreased W prime and power/strength outcomes, while vibration recovery prevented those decreases.

HIT W prime -14.3%, p=0.013; MVT -8.6%, p=0.001; CMJ Pmax -6.3%, p=0.007.

### Fiber size
Status: mixed
Conventional HIT reduced MyHC-2A fiber area, while HIT with vibration did not.

HIT MyHC-2A CSA -6.4%, p=0.044.

## Practical Insights

- Recovery modality may affect muscular adaptations.
- Conventional active recovery is not a neutral design choice.
- Specialized vibration findings should not be generalized to app recovery without testing.

## Limitations

- Small groups
- Male-only participants
- No participant/supervisor blinding
- Specialized equipment
- Cycling-only protocol

## Safety And Adherence

- Three withdrawals were for personal reasons unrelated to the trial.
- No explicit adverse-event results were reported.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25679998/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116764) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4332652/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.