Power Plate pro5HP - Manual (Page 3)

E
ng
lis
h
Introduction
Power Plate ® machines use the principles
of Acceleration Training™ exercise to
stimulate the body’s natural response to
vibration. Power Plate ® machines create
vibrations that cause instability throughout
the body. As these vibrations transmit
waves of energy, a variety of muscles
subconsciously contract to stabilise
the body. This rapid cycle of muscle
contraction and release is what makes
training with Power Plate ® equipment
so effective. Acceleration Training™ was
discovered in the former Soviet Union,
where it was found to effectively combat
the negative effects of the zero-gravity
environment in space. Cosmonauts were
faced with considerable loss of muscle
strength and bone density from their time
in space, and Acceleration Training™
exercise apparently helped reverse these
effects. However, this new form of training
was unknown in Western Europe until
after the fall of the Iron Curtain, when
the Dutch sports expert Guus van der
Meer introduced the technology, resulting
in the development of the first Power
Plate ® model in 1999. Since then, Power
Plate ® technology has been adapted
for the masses so it is now possible for
everyone to enjoy training on Power
Plate ® machines. That means you can
strength train without the need to add
extra weights, thus without overloading the
body and its joints. Power Plate ® machines
are used by everybody from high-level,
high-performance athletes, to the elderly,
to those simply wishing to improve their
general health and fitness levels.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Users of the Power Plate ® pro5
AIRdaptive™ machine will find special
sections in this user manual,
describing the specifics of their model.
Correct use is essential for
optimal results
In theory, the Power Plate ® machine
can be used by almost everyone. You
can adjust training to your own level
and reduce any burden on your joints,
tendons and ligaments. As with every form
of training, the correct use of exercises,
adjusted to your personal abilities, will
determine the benefits and effects of
completing a training session on the
Power Plate ® machine, while at the same
time avoiding risks of injury or damage to
the body.
Body posture, muscle stiffness and muscle
tension (i.e. how contracted your muscle
is) are important contributing factors
in your training session. If muscles are
tensed, or contracted, they will absorb
vibrations to help strengthen and tone
those muscles. Passive exercises, such as
stretch and massage on the Power Plate ®
machine, don’t absorb as much vibration
and can therefore be performed on a more
frequent basis.
This is why Acceleration Training™ exercise
should be used on a regular basis, starting
with low intensity, which means low
frequency settings for short sessions. The
body should be gently stimulated in a way
that will allow you to adjust to vibration
training, but will not overload your body.
Over time, the intensity and duration can
be increased in the same manner as other
progressive training programs. Once
the body has adapted to vibration, the
training can be changed or intensified to
keep improving performance, whether this
improvement is desired for sports or daily
life goals.
03