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The History of Dynamic Bars

How old the idea of a flexible dynamic bar held in one’s hand really is, cannot be exactly determined. Therapeutic and scientific efforts have equally influenced the effect of the transfer of vibration by means of dynamic bars to the human body, and both have left their mark on different developments. An end to these efforts cannot be expected yet, since more and more vibration devices are getting invented and developed. The »Propriomed,« a dynamic bar, and the »Posturomed,« a vibrating floor space, took a root on the therapeutic level. On the huge market of fitness home equipment and accommodations, however, only the FLEXI-BAR, which developed into the only dynamic bar with broad acceptance, accomplished this. The FLEXI-BAR is more than a trend though, due to the constantly increasing ways of use and the perceiving of the mode of action of the swinging bar of more and more groups of people.

Starting Point Vibration Exercise and Physical Therapy

Vibration exercise means in a more narrow sense a form of exercise in which the performer stands on a vibrating disc or a vibrating subsoil. Thereby, the vibration hits the body from the bottom up. The goal of this form of exercise is the stimulation of stretching reflexes in a high number and the contractions of muscles related to that. During the likewise known biomechanic stimulation (BMS), individual groups of muscles are locally affected through attached vibration devices. The promised results of these reach from pain reduction for patients to increased performance for athletes.

Vibrating medical auxiliary tools go back farther in their tradition. In the 19th century already, patients with back pain in the USA were cured with vibration devices, and vibrating chairs were tested as a treatment for patients with Parkinson. In a large number, these devices mainly operated through steam, were also to be found in Europe. The publication by Doctor Biermann, which describes the effect of cyclic oscillation (swinging) on the human body, dates back to 1960. In 1970, the idea found its entrance to the field of sports. Nazarow, a Russian physician, established the biomechanical stimulation (BMS) as a method of exercise for the gymnastics squad of the Soviet Union at the time. This method is still in practical use today. Since the beginning of the new millenium, there are more and more producers offering vibrating platforms and dynamic bars for the fitness market.

The effect of vibration exercise has not been verified sufficiently by science yet. Studies exist, which were frequently carried out on non-athletes. This favours good results. Furthermore, there are numerous non-scientific studies with contradicting results, usually carried out on very small groups of patients.

Different Frequences of Base Plates and Dynamic Bars

Partly, the effects of swinging subsoils and swinging bars differentiate enormously, especially when the dynamic bar must be set swinging and is not externally controlled. The main difference lies in the coordination of movement here, because the impulse to bring a dynamic bar to vibrate has to be controlled arbitrarily. For externally controlled base plates or attached vibration devices this is not the case. Vibrating base plates additionally swing with considerably higher frequences than dynamic bars. Through improper use, this involves risks for one’s health. Thus, there is no unrestricted recommendation for externally controlled vibration exercise.

The theoretical framework of the effect of low frequences of about 5 Hz (swingings per second) is justified in the system of the postural ontogeny (cf. p. 21). Practically, this means that these frequences favour the reflexive, active erection of the muscles close to the spinal column, and therefore develop their stabilising effect intersegmentally (between the individual segments of the vertebras, which means between the vertebral body and the small neighbouring vertebral joints). In the therapeutic practice, surprising successes in therapy seem to be possible. Vibrations above 10 Hz produce multiplied stretching reflexes in the muscular system. Over reflex arcs, this then leads to tightness in the muscles, which otherwise is only caused by exercise. The latter, not in such a high frequency though. There is an increased ability to tense the muscles and, thus, an increased tension of the muscle base at the bone, which can theoretically increase the strength of the bone and should stimulate its stabilisation tendencies. All in all, however, are the therapeutic as well as the athletic effects only verified in individual cases and need further scientific support. Although it is a fact that it is often the case in the field of back problems that successes in therapy are not sufficiently supported by science, it does not cut down their administration or spread.

The Beginning of Dynamic Bars

In the 60s already, Russian researchers experimented to retain their muscle strength and bone stability like astronauts under weightless circumstances without any bigger equipment. As a result, they had forms of exercising, in which external vibrations played an immense role.

In 1991, physical therapist Bruce Hymanson invented a medium-long, flat swinging blade, the »Bodyblade,« in the USA. The therapeutic motivation behind his efforts, and the invention as a result to that, was the ability to go through a neuro-muscular exercise with an injured shoulder, without having to take painful exercise amplitudes to the damaged joint: a goal he reached with the »Bodyblade,« which one swings by hand. In the USA, however, the Bodyblade is only a moderately known exercise device.

In about the mid 90s in Germany, shortly after that, therapeutic research results on patients were the basis of the idea of dynamic bars. These studies reported about diagnostic possibilities and exercise effects on patients, caused by swinging subsoils and swinging objects. However, a more specific distinction regarding the swinging objects did not take place. The therapeutic effect (a better balance, more strength in the erector spinae and better coordination) was comparable to classic spinal exercises.

FLEXI-BAR group class at a sports club

You can integrate the FLEXI BAR in varied ways into your workout program.

Results of these researches, which by the way were ordered by the industry, were the »Posturomed« and the »Propriomed« – therapeutic exercise devices, which up to today are in use in almost every physical therapy office. However, they are in need of professional care and were not planned for private use. Before, the manufacturer already produced ergonomic seating furniture and devices to lay down on, which can support the swinging of the body, and can so develop health supporting effects.

Henceforth, building up on this, the FLEXI-BAR and the »Stability Bar,« which still exists today under the term »Staby,« developed. Both devices consequently converted the available knowledge and therapy approaches with their development into something accessible for private users. All other forms of dynamic bars which entered the market afterwards and which still enter, can safely be called reproductions, trying to imitate the success of the FLEXI-BAR. These, however, offer no development work or any other support.