Abstract
Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has been proposed as a feasible exercise modality for older adults with limited physical capacity; however, evidence regarding its effectiveness in individuals with sarcopenia remains inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing WBV training with control interventions to evaluate the effects of WBV training on muscle strength, physical performance, and muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched through March 2025. The primary outcome was lower-limb muscle strength. Secondary outcomes included physical performance and skeletal muscle mass. Effect sizes were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed- and random-effects models. Six RCTs involving 202 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control interventions, WBV training significantly improved lower-limb muscle strength (SMD = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.21–0.80) and physical performance (SMD = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.08–0.92). No significant effect was observed for skeletal muscle mass (SMD = 0.14; 95% CI, − 0.22 to 0.50). WBV training was associated with moderate improvements in muscle strength and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia, without a corresponding increase in muscle mass. These findings support WBV training as a feasible adjunct to conventional exercise interventions for sarcopenia management, particularly in populations with limited exercise tolerance.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. The datasets analyzed during the current study are derived from previously published studies and publicly available reports. All extractable data used in the meta-analysis are included in this article and its supplementary materials. For one included study identified through a conference abstract, additional methodological details were obtained from the corresponding author. For another study, only outcomes reported in tabular form were included because complete numerical data were not available from graphical presentations. No new datasets were generated during the current study.
References
Lim, S. K. et al. Standardized measurement of muscle strength and physical performance for sarcopenia: An expert-based Delphi consensus. Ann. Geriatr. Med. Res. 29, 185–198. https://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.25.0070 (2025).
Chen, L. K. et al. Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia: 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment. J. Am. Med. Dir. Assoc. 21, 300–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2019.12.012 (2020).
Cruz-Jentoft, A. J. et al. Sarcopenia: Revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing 48, 16–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169 (2019).
Shafiee, G. et al. Prevalence of sarcopenia in the world: A systematic review and meta-analysis of general population studies. J. Diabetes Metab. Disord. 16, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40200-017-0302-x (2017).
Xin, W. et al. Effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) centers for improving physical fitness for community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann. Rehabil. Med. 48, 5–21. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23148 (2024).
Landi, F. et al. Sarcopenia as a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals: Results from the ilSIRENTE study. Clin. Nutr. 31, 652–658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2012.02.007 (2012).
Kim, D. R. et al. Bidirectional relationship among cognitive function, muscle mass, and grip strength in older adults: The BUSAN study. Ann. Geriatr. Med. Res. 29, 199–206. https://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.24.0157 (2025).
Polo-Ferrero, L. et al. Effect of resistance training on older adults with sarcopenic obesity: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of blood biomarkers, functionality, and body composition. Nurs. Rep. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15030089 (2025).
Peterson, M. D. & Gordon, P. M. Resistance exercise for the aging adult: Clinical implications and prescription guidelines. Am. J. Med. 124, 194–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.08.020 (2011).
Bethancourt, H. J., Rosenberg, D. E., Beatty, T. & Arterburn, D. E. Barriers to and facilitators of physical activity program use among older adults. Clin. Med. Res. 12, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.3121/cmr.2013.1171 (2014).
de Labra, C., Guimaraes-Pinheiro, C., Maseda, A., Lorenzo, T. & Millan-Calenti, J. C. Effects of physical exercise interventions in frail older adults: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BMC Geriatr. 15, 154. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-015-0155-4 (2015).
Alfieri, G. R. et al. Impact of whole-body vibration therapy in elderly populations: A scoping review. Cureus 17, e79296. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.79296 (2025).
Vlietstra, L., Hendrickx, W. & Waters, D. L. Exercise interventions in healthy older adults with sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australas. J. Ageing 37, 169–183. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12521 (2018).
Kim, H. et al. Effect of whole body horizontal vibration exercise in chronic low back pain patients: Vertical versus horizontal vibration exercise. Ann. Rehabil. Med. 42, 804–813. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2018.42.6.804 (2018).
Poenaru, D., Cinteza, D., Petrusca, I., Cioc, L. & Dumitrascu, D. Local application of vibration in motor rehabilitation—Scientific and practical considerations. Maedica (Bucur) 11, 227–231 (2016).
Sitja-Rabert, M. et al. Efficacy of whole body vibration exercise in older people: A systematic review. Disabil. Rehabil. 34, 883–893. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.626486 (2012).
Bogaerts, A. et al. Impact of whole-body vibration training versus fitness training on muscle strength and muscle mass in older men: A 1-year randomized controlled trial. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 62, 630–635. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/62.6.630 (2007).
Rittweger, J. Vibration as an exercise modality: How it may work, and what its potential might be. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 108, 877–904. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1303-3 (2010).
Pollock, R. D., Woledge, R. C., Martin, F. C. & Newham, D. J. Effects of whole body vibration on motor unit recruitment and threshold. J. Appl. Physiol. 112, 388–395. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01223.2010 (2012).
Wang, Z., Wei, Z., Li, X., Lai, Z. & Wang, L. Effect of whole-body vibration on neuromuscular activation and explosive power of lower limb: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 17, e0278637. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278637 (2022).
Long, Y. F. et al. Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration attenuates sarcopenia by modulating mitochondrial quality control via inhibiting miR-378. J. Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 16, e13740. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.13740 (2025).
Bao, Z. et al. Prevention of age-related neuromuscular junction degeneration in sarcopenia by low-magnitude high-frequency vibration. Aging Cell 23, e14156. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.14156 (2024).
Zhuang, M., Gu, Y., Wang, Z., He, X. & Chen, N. Effects of 12-week whole-body vibration training versus resistance training in older people with sarcopenia. Sci. Rep. 15, 6981. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91644-2 (2025).
Bellomo, R. G. et al. Muscle strength and balance training in sarcopenic elderly: A pilot study with randomized controlled trial. Eur. J. Inflamm. 11, 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/1721727X1301100118 (2013).
Wei, N., Pang, M. Y., Ng, S. S. & Ng, G. Y. Optimal frequency/time combination of whole-body vibration training for improving muscle size and strength of people with age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia): A randomized controlled trial. Geriatr. Gerontol. Int. 17, 1412–1420. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.12878 (2017).
Fischer, M. et al. Long-term effects of whole-body vibration on human gait: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurol. 10, 627. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00627 (2019).
Saucedo, F., Chavez, E. A., Vanderhoof, H. R. & Eggleston, J. D. Effects of controlled whole-body vibration training on functional performance among healthy older adults: A 6-week pilot study. J. Aging Res. Lifestyle 10, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.14283/jarlife.2021.7 (2021).
Rogan, S. et al. Effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in elderly: An update of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 73, 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2017.07.022 (2017).
Higgins, J. & Green, S. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of interventions. (Version 5.1.0.). (2011).
Tran, D. H., Le, H. T., Chu, T. T. Q., Pham, H. T. C. & Le, A. N. V. The effects of inspiratory muscle training in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann. Rehabil. Med. 49, 152–163. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.250013 (2025).
Mostert, K. A. et al. The efficacy of physical therapy to alleviate symptomatic thoracic radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta-narrative analysis. Ann. Rehabil. Med. 48, 105–114. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23136 (2024).
Lee, J. M. & Lim, J. Y. Effects of whole body vibration training using side-alternating vibration platform with tilt table in hospitalized older adults with sarcopenia: A randomized controlled pilot study. Aging Med. Healthc. 10, 35 (2019).
Zhu, Y. Q. et al. Tai Chi and whole-body vibrating therapy in sarcopenic men in advanced old age: A clinical randomized controlled trial. Eur. J. Ageing 16, 273–282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-019-00498-x (2019).
de Paula, F. A. et al. Immediate effects of whole-body vibration associated with squatting exercises on hemodynamic parameters in sarcopenic older people: A randomized controlled trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211852 (2021).
Almeida, H. C. et al. Effect of whole-body vibration stimulation on plasma soluble TNF receptors in elderly with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial. Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 57, e13282. https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e13282 (2024).
Zhang, H. et al. Effects of whole-body vibration training on lower extremity muscle strength and physical function in elderly patients with sarcopenia. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Kurortmed. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2314-4180 (2024).
Sanudo, B., Reverte-Pagola, G., Seixas, A. & Masud, T. Whole-body vibration to improve physical function parameters in nursing home residents older than 80 years: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Phys. Ther. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae025 (2024).
Liu, P. et al. Effects of whole-body vibration training with different frequencies on the balance ability of the older adults: A network meta-analysis. Front. Physiol. 14, 1153163. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1153163 (2023).
Chen, N., He, X., Feng, Y., Ainsworth, B. E. & Liu, Y. Effects of resistance training in healthy older people with sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur. Rev. Aging Phys. Act. 18, 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-021-00277-7 (2021).
Xiong, W. & Liu, X. Effects of whole-body vibration training combined with KAATSU training on lower limb joint muscle strength in older women. Front. Physiol. 14, 1231088. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1231088 (2023).
Goncalves de Oliveira, R. et al. Impacts of whole-body vibration on muscle strength, power, and endurance in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Clin. Med. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134467 (2023).
Guo, A. Y., Leung, K. S., Qin, J. H., Chow, S. K. & Cheung, W. H. Effect of low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration treatment on retardation of sarcopenia: Senescence-accelerated mouse-P8 model. Rejuvenation Res. 19, 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2015.1759 (2016).
Wang, J. et al. Vibration and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate treatment suppresses intramuscular fat infiltration and adipogenic differentiation in sarcopenic mice. J. Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 11, 564–577. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12535 (2020).
Cui, C. et al. Coapplication of magnesium supplementation and vibration modulate macrophage polarization to attenuate sarcopenic muscle atrophy through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Int. J. Mol. Sci. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232112944 (2022).
Tan, X., Jiang, G., Zhang, L., Wang, D. & Wu, X. Effects of whole-body vibration training on lower limb muscle strength and physical performance among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 104, 1954–1965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2023.04.002 (2023).
Lam, F. M., Lau, R. W., Chung, R. C. & Pang, M. Y. The effect of whole body vibration on balance, mobility and falls in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas 72, 206–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.04.009 (2012).
Qiu, B. et al. Effects of whole-body vibration training on muscle performance in healthy women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS ONE 20, e0322010. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322010 (2025).
Funding
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. RS-2022-NR071824 and RS-2022-NR070845) and a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: RS-2024-00408722).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
JB and SYL conceived and designed the study: JB and SYL conducted the literature search and screening and data extraction. SYL conducted the statistical analyses and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Ethical approval and consent to participate
The authors have nothing to report.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
About this article
Cite this article
Beom, J., Lim, JY. & Lee, S.Y. Effects of whole-body vibration training on sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-45710-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-45710-y
