\nThere are no universally agreed-upon names for the different types of vibration which have resulted in a multitude of different names now being used. It can be confusing for a newcomer to Whole Body Vibration when they come across ten or more different names to describe the platform types. \u201cDo I really have to choose between ten different types?\u201d you might wonder.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, despite some manufacturers insisting that their vibration type is unique, there are really only 2 types of vibration. Two of the most commonly used names for these two types and the ones I prefer to use are Pivotal<\/strong> and Lineal<\/strong>. All the other names you come across are just different names given to either of these two types of vibration. eg:<\/p>\n Pivotal<\/strong> Though there are different technologies and mechanisms employed to drive the platform,\u00a0the result is always one (or both) of these types of vibrations.<\/p>\n A Third Type?<\/strong> Perhaps the most hotly contested claim of \u2018uniqueness\u2019 is machines described by the term Tri-Planar<\/strong>. Some manufacturers have tried to claim that Tri-Planar is different to Lineal which, strictly speaking, should describe vibration which is purely unidirectional – straight up and down. Tri-Planar vibration is said to vibrate in all 3 planes, left to right, front to back, and up and down. There is one problem with \u201cTri-Planar\u201d machines claiming to be different: Lineal machines vibrate in all 3 planes. ie. both names describe the same thing.<\/p>\n So the question arises – if \u201cLineal\u201d platforms are not really lineal, are there any platforms that do move purely in one direction only; straight up and down – and if there were, what would we call them?<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at some examples to illustrate the answer:<\/p>\n In a 2009 study by Pel et al. (1) they measured the output of a Power Plate vibration platform advertised as a Tri-Planar machine. The researchers found that the Power Plate platform did indeed vibrate in 3 planes, left to right, front to back, and up and down. In 2011 engineers from Beta Machinery in Canada measured the output of a WAVE platform advertised as a Lineal machine. The engineers found that the WAVE platform not\u00a0only vibrated in all 3 planes, it actually did so with far more force in the side to side and\u00a0front to backplanes than the Power Plate machine. Hardly what you\u2019d call \u201cLineal\u201d Anyone else sees a problem here? Squabble as these Lineal companies may, the only thing that truly varies from one Lineal platform to another is the degree to which the platform vibrates in all 3 planes. Pivotal vs Lineal<\/strong> Some examples of direct comparisons:<\/p>\n \u2605 Abercromby et al. (2) and also Ritzmann et al. (3) found that Pivotal increases neuromuscular activity more than Lineal. Head Viiibbbbraaaation<\/strong> \u2605 In 2006 Spitzenpfeil et al. found that Lineal created up to 200% more head vibration than Pivotal (7). It should be noted however that the only exercise performed in this research was squatting,\u00a0ie. with the feet in contact with the platform. Though it has not been confirmed, it is possible that the results would be reversed during upper body exercise when it is the hands in contact with the platform ie. Pivotal would produce more head vibration.<\/p>\n Which One To Choose?<\/strong> Why not try both types before committing to anything. What you feel comfortable with will certainly impact the amount of use you give the machine and therefore the results you get.<\/p>\n The other major determinant of results, whether it be Pivotal or Lineal is the acceleration capabilities of the machine. High Acceleration platforms are the most clinically supported platforms and will give you the best possible experience of what real vibration training has to offer. So make sure any pre-purchase comparison includes high acceleration machines.<\/p>\n See the Whole Body Vibration Buyers Guide<\/a> for 41 acceleration comparisons.<\/p>\n References:<\/em><\/p>\n (1)\u00a0Pel JJ, Bagheri J, van Dam LM, et al. Platform accelerations of three different whole-body vibration devices and the transmission of vertical vibrations to the lower limbs. Med Eng Phys. 2009 Oct;31(8):937-44.<\/a><\/p>\n (2)\u00a0Abercromby AF, Amonette WE, Layne CS, et al.\u00a0Variation in neuromuscular responses during acute whole-body vibration exercise.\u00a0Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Sep;39(9):1642-50.<\/a><\/p>\n (3)\u00a0Ritzmann R, Gollhofer A, Kramer A. The influence of vibration type, frequency, body position, and additional load on the neuromuscular activity during whole body vibration. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013 Jan;113(1):1-11.<\/a><\/p>\n (4)\u00a0Von Stengel S, Kemmler W, Bebenek M, et al.\u00a0Effects of whole-body vibration training on different devices on bone mineral density.\u00a0Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Jun;43(6):1071-9.<\/a><\/p>\n (5)\u00a0Gojanovic B, Henchoz Y.\u00a0Whole-body vibration training: metabolic cost of synchronous, side-alternating or no vibrations.\u00a0J Sports Sci. 2012;30(13):1397-403.<\/a><\/p>\n (6)\u00a0Mar\u00edn PJ, Rhea MR. Effects of vibration training on muscle strength: a meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):548-56.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTilting, Rotational, See-Saw, Teeter-Totter, Side Alternating, Oscillating, Triangular Oscillating
\n![\"pivotal-1\"](\"https:\/\/www.hypervibe.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/07\/pivotal-11.gif\" "\\"\\"")
\nLineal<\/strong>
\nVertical, Uniform, Synchronous, Tri-Planar, 3D, Piston<\/p>\n
\nRecently a new breed of low acceleration machines have attempted to establish themselves as a new vibration type called \u201cspiral\u201d vibration. In reality, however, these machines do not work on the principles of Whole Body Vibration, which is to produce vibration mainly in the vertical direction to increase the supply of gravity to the body. Instead, “spiral” machines produce vibration which is mainly horizontal in characteristics and is not supported by any Whole Body Vibration research.<\/p>\n
\nPower Plate promote Tri-Planar as being \u201csuperior to Lineal\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWAVE promote Lineal as being \u201csuperior to Tri-Planar\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIn fact, in every engineering test I have seen where all 3 planes were measured, there is not one \u201cLineal\u201d vibration platform that moves purely straight up and down, there is always some degree of multi-planar vibration occurring.<\/p>\n
\nSome manufacturers insist it is best to reduce multi-planar vibration and aim to be as close as possible to purely vertical. The truth is that there is no evidence of any kind suggesting purely vertical is better than multi-planar or vice versa.<\/p>\n
\nVery few studies have directly compared a Pivotal platform to a Lineal one. If you have been around Whole Body Vibration for a while you\u2019d know that there are many different Pivotal machines and many different Lineal machines with not much overlap in the G Forces and Frequencies produced among them. This can make it difficult to get a true comparison between a Pivotal and a Lineal when attempting to create conditions (Frequency, G-force, foot position) for the user who is the same on both machines.
\nTo complicate things even further, my Whole Body Vibration Research article exposes fundamental errors made by researchers that result in reports with incorrect conclusions.
\nSo, all things considered, the small amount of literature we have directly compared aPivotal platform to a Lineal platform should probably be viewed with discernment.<\/p>\n
\n\u2605 VonStengel et al. found that Pivotal improves bone density more than Lineal (4).
\n\u2605 Gojanovic et al. found that Pivotal has a greater metabolic effect than Lineal (5).
\n\u2605 On the other hand, in 2010, though it was not a direct comparison of one machine with
\nanother, the conclusion of a \u2018meta-analysis\u2019 by Marin et al. was that Lineal produces
\nmore long-term strength and power gains than Pivotal (6).<\/p>\n
\nPossibly the only undisputed research finding at this point involves the transmission of vibration to the head.<\/p>\n
\n\u2605 In 2007 Abercromby et al. found that Lineal created up to 187% more head vibration than Pivotal (8).<\/p>\n
\nAt this point, I don\u2019t think it would be fair to say that one platform type has been conclusively proven to be better than the other type. Head vibration is something to be considered however so perhaps choosing a Pivotal would be best if you plan on doing mostly lower body exercise, or Lineal if mostly upper body exercise.<\/p>\n