What is Galileo Vibration Training?
What is Galileo Vibration Training?
The Galileo is a vibration machine which has a unique ‘side-alternating’ plate. The Galileo plate tilts on an axis and stimulates the body via its’ fast vibration. When an individual stands on the tilting plate they sense a vibration coming up from the plate. These vibrations are too fast for the person to voluntarily react to; however they stimulate the muscle, bone and tendons which receive the vibration.
The side-alternating function of the Galileo plate simulates walking. This is because when an individual is standing on the tilting plate, one leg is going up and the other is going down, much like human gait. The side-alternating function also allows the vibration to be dampened as forces are transmitted up the body towards the head and then subsequently out of the body. This is unlike a vertically moving platform which constantly compresses the spine as the vibration remains within the body.
How It Works?
It is proposed that with Galileo vibration technology the muscles are stimulated by the involuntary stretch reflex. This reflex is controlled by the spinal cord rather than the brain. The involuntary stretch reflex is like the patella reflex, which happens when the doctor taps the patella tendon below the kneecap. The lower leg then moves upwards without the brain being able to prevent the movement.
Normally we do not use all our muscles for standing or moving. However on the Galileo the muscles are activated by the stretch reflex which ensures that all muscle fibres are being stimulated and are working at the same time. In a conscious muscle contraction approximately 40% of the muscle’s fibres are contracting. However when the contraction is stimulated via the stretch reflex (i.e. when using the Galileo) 97% of the muscle’s fibres are contracting. For this reason exercising using the Galileo is more time efficient than doing normal exercise which requires a voluntary contraction of the muscle.
The number of stretch-reflexes per second is controlled by the training frequency set on the machine. For example if the frequency is set to 25 Hertz, that equates to 25 muscular contractions per second which is equivalent to 1500 contractions per minute.
The stretch reflex is also beneficial by stimulating a movement without the brain being involved in planning and executing the movement. The brain still receives information about the movement therefore it can learn and remember the movement. This can be extremely useful when trying to rehabilitate after an injury or to change old movement patterns.