Comparing Vibration Plates & Technology
How to evaluate the safety of all vibration plates
Definitions of Vibration Types
Vibration safety is defined by Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and (ISO). For more information on these see our vibration safety page.
SAFE VIBRATION TYPES Low Intensity Vibrations are a type of low-magnitude mechanical signal, delivered by an oscillating platform at a frequency of 30-90 cycles per second (Hz). The Marodyne's patent pending LIV technology is designed to mimic the contractile spectrum of healthy muscle and deliver a biologically relevant signal to the cells in the body that can sense and respond to the stimulus.
UNSAFE VIBRATION TYPES High Intensity Vibration devices are those that deliver a g-force of greater than 1-g, regardless of the frequency. Levels of vibration are typically considered as a function of magnitude (g-force), frequency (Hz) and duration of exposure (time). One "g" is equal to earth's gravitational field, or an acceleration of 9.8 meters per second per second. Frequency corresponds to the number of cycles delivered per second. High intensity vibration can be exceedingly dangerous, and is an etiologic factor in several pathologic conditions including low back pain1, neurovestibular disorders2, Raynaud's syndrome3. Industries such as transportation and construction4, as well as the military5, are working towards minimizing occupational exposure to these potentially hazardous mechanical stimuli.
Vibration Devices with Approved Safe Vibration Levels
| APPROVED VIBRATION LEVELS | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL | PRICE | DESIGN YEAR | MAX G Force | Frequency | Vibration Level |
OSHA | ISO | NIOSH | CDC | FDA | MHRA |
MarodyneLow-Intensity Vibration (LIV) Tablet |
approx. $1650 |
2010 | 0.3g | 20-50 Hz | < 200 microns | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| *not currently in production | |||||||||||
Whole Body Vibration Devices with Unsafe Vibration Levels
There are a multitude of products on market that advertise the benefits of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) – most of which are delivering a very high magnitude signal defined as unsafe by OSHA and ISO. Please note that our research is widely cited on these product sites, but has no relationship whatsoever with the technology or claims made by whole body vibration plates used for exercise and physical training such as Galileo and Power-Plate. The magnitudes used in those devices, well in excess of 8.0g, are well beyond the limits recommended for human tolerance by ISO and OSHA. The vibration levels in these WBV devices are 35 times greater in amplitude than those mechanical signals that we study, are inherently dangerous, and to our knowledge, show little if any evidence that their devices are safe for bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, ligaments or any of the major organs.
| APPROVED VIBRATION LEVELS | QUALITY + DESIGN STANDARDS | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL | PRICE | MAX G Force | Frequency | Vibration Level |
OSHA | ISO | NIOSH | CDC | FDA | MHRA | ISO | MIL-SPEC | CE | MHRA | |
| Soloflex WBV platform |  |
$445 | 1.1g | 28-60 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| ORTHOMETRIX, INC. VibraFlex 550 |
 |
on request |
18g | 5-30 Hz | 0-5.2 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| ORTHOMETRIX, INC. VibraFlex 600 |
 |
on request |
22g | 5-30 Hz | 0-6.4 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Power Plate my5 |
 |
$4,500 | 5g | 30-40 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Power Plate my3 |
 |
$2,499 | not available |
35 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Power Plate pro5 AIRdaptive HP |
 |
on request |
not available |
25-50 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Power Plate pro5 AIRdaptive |
 |
on request |
not available |
25-50 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Power Plate pro5 |
 |
on request |
not available |
25-50 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| ProVib GmbH ProVib Classic |
 |
$12,884 | not available |
20-50 Hz | 2-4 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| ProVib GmbH ProVib Preisliste 2006 (Euro) |
|
$13,865 | not available |
20-50 Hz | 2-4 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| GLOBUS Physioplate Med |
 |
on request |
not available |
5-70 Hz | 2-4 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| GLOBUS Physioplate Fit |
|
on request |
not available |
15-70 Hz | 2-4 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Galileo 900 |  |
on request |
not available |
5-30 Hz | 0-5 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Galileo 2000 |  |
on request |
not available |
5-30 Hz | 0-6 mm | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Nemes Bosco LX-B Health |
 |
on request |
not available |
not available |
not available |
N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | N |
| Nemes Bosco LC-B Performance |
 |
on request |
not available |
not available |
not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Nemes Bosco LX / LC |
 |
on request |
not available |
not available |
not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Nemes Bosco LS (Home Edition) |
 |
on request |
not available |
not available |
not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| TurboSonic® Delux Vibration Trainer |  |
$12,995 | not available |
6-45 Hz | not available |
N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
References
- Anderson JA, Otun EO, Sweetman BJ 1987 Occupational hazards and low back pain. Rev Environ Health 7:121-160.
- Seidel H, Harazin B, Pavlas K, Sroka C, Richter J, Bluthner R, Erdmann U, Grzesik J, Hinz B, Rothe R 1988 Isolated and combined effects of prolonged exposures to noise and whole-body vibration on hearing, vision and strain. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 61:95-106.
- Dandanell R, Engstrom K 1986 Vibration from riveting tools in the frequency range 6 Hz-10 MHz and Raynaud's phenomenon. Scand J Work Environ Health 12:338-342.
- Bongers PM, Boshuizen HC, Hulshof CT, Koemeester AP 1988 Back disorders in crane operators exposed to whole-body vibration. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 60:129-137.
- de Oliveira CG, Simpson DM, Nadal J 2001 Lumbar back muscle activity of helicopter pilots and whole-body vibration. J Biomech 34:1309-1315.