New Vibrating Device Could Revolutionize Exercise Perception
Researchers have introduced a groundbreaking “strap-on vibrating device” designed to enhance exercise experiences by reducing the perceived effort during physical activity. This innovative technology, developed by scientists from Canada and France, may hold the potential to encourage more individuals to engage in regular exercise, addressing a significant public health concern.
In a recent study involving 15 healthy young volunteers, participants underwent two sessions at a laboratory. During each visit, they cycled on a stationary bike for two three-minute intervals. One interval was performed at a perceived moderate intensity, while the other was at a high intensity, allowing researchers to assess the subjective measure of perceived effort. Notably, during one session, participants wore a vibrating device strapped to their Achilles and knee tendons for ten minutes prior to cycling.
The results were striking. The vibration not only increased participants’ power output and heart rates but also led them to push themselves harder. Interestingly, their subjective feeling of effort remained unchanged, making the workout seem less strenuous than it actually was. The study authors noted, “This study shows that tendon vibration reduces effort perception during subsequent cycling bouts. These findings highlight tendon vibration as a promising tool for enhancing physical activity engagement.”
This development is particularly important given that high perceived effort is a major factor contributing to why many individuals abandon their fitness routines. In the United States, statistics reveal that only about one in four adults and one in five adolescents comply with the CDC’s recommendations for weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. The implications of a sedentary lifestyle are significant, with insufficient exercise linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
A 2022 study emphasized the urgency of increasing physical activity, suggesting that if U.S. adults engaged in just ten more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily, nearly 7% of annual deaths could be prevented—translating to over 100,000 lives saved each year.
The researchers, led by Dr. Benjamin Pageaux from the University of Montreal, are still exploring why participants experienced a lower perception of effort post-vibration. Dr. Pageaux explained, “Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, we can either excite or inhibit neurons in the spinal cord. Also, prolonged vibration changes the reactivity of the neuromuscular spindles and alters the signal sent to the brain.”
While these findings are promising, it remains to be seen how effective tendon vibration will be in longer-duration exercises, such as marathons. Dr. Pageaux cautioned, “It hasn’t been tested in a marathon, only during a short, three-minute cycling exercise. Still, this is the first time it’s been shown to work with this type of exercise.”
For those looking to make workouts feel easier in the meantime, other strategies can also help. Research has shown that listening to music, exercising outdoors, or employing motivational self-talk can significantly reduce perceived effort and enhance endurance during rigorous activities.
Looking forward, the research team plans to investigate how tendon vibration influences brain activity during exercise and how factors like pain and fatigue contribute to perceived effort. Dr. Pageaux stated, “By gaining a better understanding of how the brain evaluates the link between effort and perceived reward during exercise, we hope to promote more regular physical activity. And we all know how essential staying active is for our health and well-being.”
The introduction of this vibrating device could represent a significant advancement in making exercise more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, potentially reshaping the way people view physical fitness.
