Core and Whole-Body Vibration Exercise Improve Military Foot March Performance in Novice Trainees: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of the present study was to investigate core exercise training and whole-body vibration (WBV) as a training method to improve performance and recovery from an 8-km military foot march in novice trainees. Materials and Methods A 3 × 5 repeated measures randomized control trial was used to evaluate the effects of core exercise training and WBV on performance and recovery from an 8-km foot march. Thirty-nine participants were randomized into three groups: core exercise (Ex), WBV with core exercise (WBVEx), and control. Each participant completed two 8-km foot marches (FM1 and FM2) with a 35 pound rucksack, separated by 4 weeks. Participants in the Ex and WBVEx groups completed 3 weeks of core exercise training, three times per week in between FM1 and FM2. Performance time, creatine kinase (CK), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. The Auburn University Institutional Review Board approved all aspects of this study (protocol number: 19-211 MR 1907). Results Performance time (P