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The Biology of Vibration

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Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy

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Abstract

Vibrations are all around us, but often not consciously perceived by humans in contrast to many other species. What can we learn from the detection and use of vibrations by other species? In this chapter, I set out to illustrate that vibrations are used for several functions in nature, and that the human capacity to detect and utilize vibrations can be traced far beyond our early mammalian ancestors. The existence of a multitude of sensory organs responding to vibrations, with partly overlapping sensitivity to frequencies and varying adaptation speeds, already suggests that somewhere during the evolution of mammals vibrations were important for the interaction between the host and the environment. In addition, it became a crucial modality enabling interactions between individuals (either of the same species or between different species). Vibrations present in our current society may influence our well-being and behavior. Knowledge of the natural origins of vibration detection and their functions can increase our awareness of vibrations, and how it can be employed. This awareness strongly links to the field of whole body vibration, where vibrations are primarily used as an exercise modality. In my opinion, this awareness could contribute to enhance the usefulness and effectiveness of whole body vibration therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Eddy A. van der Zee

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  1. Eddy A. van der Zee
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Correspondence to Eddy A. van der Zee .

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  1. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Department of Muscle and Bone Metabolism, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany

    Jörn Rittweger

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van der Zee, E.A. (2020). The Biology of Vibration. In: Rittweger, J. (eds) Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43985-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43985-9_2

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