Aging Bones May Benefit From A Good Shaking: "While running and jumping are some of the best ways to maintain or improve bone strength and help prevent fractures, they aren't the safest activities for the frail, elderly or physically impaired.
Dr Belinda Beck, senior lecturer at Griffith University's School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, said there was some evidence that low intensity loading performed at a sufficiently high frequency may also improve bone mass.
She has recently received funding to test the effects of a whole body vibration device -- a platform that participants stand on while it vibrates at up to 30 cycles per second. 'Bone generally responds to exercise that is high intensity but older people can't do that without the risk of hurting themselves. We need a stimulus that is effective on bone but does not cause damage.'"
