Universidade Fernando Pessoa
Schools
Rua Delfim Maia, N0 334, Edificio Ciencias Medicas, Porto, 4200-253, Republica Portuguesa
Sales: (+351) 225 096 371 – geral@ufp.edu.pt
Support: (+351) 225 096 371 – geral@ufp.edu.pt
http://www.ufp.pt/
HOW DOES IT WORK?
WE KNOW ASTRONAUTS AND COSMONAUTS USE IT,
BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S ROCKET SCIENCE!
In simple terms, the three-dimensional movement destabilizes the body and causes a rapid reflex contraction that has a cascade of positive effects on many systems in the body.
Key to this response is how fast the Power Plate is moving – for most people, the maximum muscle activation is achieved when the plate is moving at about 33-35 times per second. And this is a number you want to optimize because it’s all about more muscles, doing more things, more often. There is a point at which the rate of stimulus stops causing an increase in rate of contraction – so it’s not a matter of the faster the better.
The second very important mechanical factor is the direction and type of movement. Power Plate does not rock. It does not shake you in a see-saw motion. Most times you can’t even see the person on it moving from the vibration. The movement of the Power Plate is gentle – between 1mm and 2mm – so no jerking, no jarring, no discomfort. And the whole platform moves in the same direction at the same time, mostly in a vertical direction (that is, up and down).
A superior characteristic of Power Plate, however, is that it also moves subtly backwards and forwards, and side-to-side. This three-dimensional “tri-planar” movement is key to enhanced proprioceptive stimulus. Our bodies are designed to move and respond this way, and so Power Plate can be said to create an “authentic” environment to stimulate the body’s natural responses.
The final thing we’ll talk about from a physics point of view is the harmonics. This is to do with the smoothness of the vibration, which, with Power Plate, is very consistent – even with people of different weights on the platform. The importance of smooth harmonic motion is that the body learns best when stimuli are repetitive and precise, so the neuromuscular system gets the most optimal stimulus.