The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Biomarkers and Health Beliefs of Prefrail Older Adults

Frailty poses a considerable risk to the performance of daily living activities, affecting the quality of life of older adults and increasing their risks of falling, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Frailty is related to pathology with a state of negative energy balance, sarcopenia, diminished muscle strength, and low tolerance for exertion. Few intervention studies have been conducted on prefrail community-dwelling older adults. This study investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training on the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a quasi-experimental research. Ninety participants were allocated to either an experimental or control group. This study followed the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND) guidelines for quasi-experimental research design. The experimental group participated in a 12-week whole-body vibration training conducted three times per week, with 5-min continuous vibration at 12-Hz frequency and 3-mm amplitude each time. DVDs on resistance training and manuals were provided to the control group. The data were analysed through descriptive analysis, a chi-square test, an independent t test, a paired t test, and analysis of covariance. There were 42 people in the experimental group and 48 people in the control group. After the 12-week training and intervention, ANCOVA is used to analyze the experimental and control group’s results. Experimental results in 30s chair stand test (F = 98.85, p < 0.05), open-eye stand on dominant foot test (F = 26.15, p < 0.05), two–minute-step test (F = 25.89, p < 0.05), left-leg bone mineral density (F = 14.71, p < 0.05), barriers of perceived frailty (F = 39.81, p < 0.05) and cues to action (F = 92.96, p < 0.05) in health beliefs are statistically significant compared to the control group’s results. The 12-week whole-body vibration program employed in this study partly improved the biomarkers and health beliefs of prefrail community-dwelling older adults. We recommend whole-body vibration training as an exercise strategy, thereby improving community-dwelling older adults’ biomarkers and health beliefs.