Efficacy of whole-body vibration on exercise tolerance and functional performance on the lower limbs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aims: The general aim of this research is to advance knowledge of effects of whole-body vibration on exercise tolerance and functional performance of the lower limbs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a community setting. Achieving the general aim of this research would determine efficacy of a whole-body vibration intervention to: (1) avoid exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that add to physical inactivity and, (2) improve performance of activities of daily living of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To meet the general aim of this research, specific aims were to: (1) establish validity of a WBV platform, (2) determine safety of a single session of whole-body vibration for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by quantifying rating of perceived dyspnoea and selected physiological responses to physical activity, (3) describe transmission of whole-body vibration about the knee of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (4) establish reliability of the test procedure for the major intervention study, and (5) determine efficacy of a six week whole-body vibration intervention on rating of perceived dyspnoea, selected physiological responses to physical activity, and functional performance of the lower limbs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with a six week placebo intervention.