Vibrating Tendons Before Cycling Can Enhance Performance, Study Finds

Researchers have discovered that vibrating the Achilles and knee tendons for ten minutes before cycling can alter perceptions of effort and increase performance, potentially making exercise more accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of individuals.

How Tendon Vibration Impacts Cycling Performance

The research, conducted by Benjamin Pageaux, a professor at Université de Montréal, in collaboration with researchers from Université Savoie Mont Blanc in France, involved volunteers completing cycling tests on stationary bikes. Participants underwent two sessions: one following tendon vibration and another without. A device was strapped to their Achilles and knee tendons and activated for ten minutes prior to a three-minute cycling period at a self-selected moderate or intense pace.

The results showed that participants produced more power and exhibited higher heart rates after tendon vibration, yet their perceived level of effort remained unchanged. This suggests a disconnect between physical exertion and mental strain.

The Science Behind the Effect: Altering ‘Effort Signals’

Although the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, researchers believe the vibration influences the nervous system. “Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, we can either excite or inhibit neurons in the spinal cord,” explains Pageaux. “Prolonged vibration changes the reactivity of the neuromuscular spindles and alters the signal sent to the brain.”

By modifying these “effort signals” traveling from the muscles to the brain, the perception of movement and exertion is reshaped. This brain-body disconnect could be particularly beneficial for individuals who find exercise intimidating due to the perceived effort involved.

Implications for Exercise Adherence

The perception of how difficult exercise is significantly impacts adherence. If exercise feels overwhelming, individuals are less likely to continue, whereas a manageable level of effort promotes enjoyment and consistency. This research explores the possibility of reducing this perceived effort, encouraging people to push past the feeling that exercise is too hard.

Future Research Directions

The current study was limited to short, three-minute cycling exercises in a controlled laboratory setting. Pageaux notes, “It hasn’t been tested in a marathon, only during a short, three-minute cycling exercise. Though, this is the first time the effect has been shown to work with this type of exercise.”

Future research will focus on examining brain activity during exercise using electroencephalography and MRI to understand how tendon vibration influences neural activity. Researchers are also investigating the reverse process – how pain and fatigue amplify the feeling of effort – with the ultimate goal of developing strategies to promote regular physical activity, especially among those who are currently sedentary.

“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,” Pageaux stated.

Prolonged passive vibration of Achilles and patellar tendons decreases effort perception during subsequent cycling tasks was published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.