Neuromuscular responses of the plantar flexors to whole‐body vibration

Enhanced physical performance following whole‐body vibration (WBV) has been attributed to increased muscle activity; however, few studies have measured the mechanisms underlying these changes. The objective of this study was to measure the responsiveness of the Ia pathway as well as contractile properties in 16 young adults (24±2 years, eight men, eight women) following repeated bouts of acute WBV (45 Hz, 2 mm). Hoffman reflexes (H‐reflex), compound muscle action potentials (M‐wave), and twitch contractile properties were measured prior to and immediately following five 1‐minute WBV exposures, and at 3, 5, 10, and 20 minute post‐WBV. M‐wave and H‐reflex amplitudes decreased by 8% (P