Side alternation - functional principle of GALILEO® therapy
Galileo® – the side-alternating original Made in Germany.
The principle of Galileo floor equipment is based on the natural movement of humans when walking. The Galileo therapy platform works like a seesaw with variable amplitude and frequency due to its side-alternating movement form, which stimulates a movement pattern similar to the human gait.
The rapid rocking movement of the therapy platform causes a tilting movement of the pelvis, just like walking, but much more frequent. To compensate, the body reacts with rhythmic muscle contractions alternating between the left and right sides of the body. From a frequency of about 10 hertz, these muscle contractions are not voluntary but reflex-controlled via the so-called stretch reflex, which activates the muscles in the legs, abdomen and back all the way up into the torso.
Reflex-based activation of the muscle chain
The number of stretch reflexes per second is determined by the adjustable stimulation frequency. If, for example, a stimulation frequency of 25 hertz is selected, 25 contraction cycles each occur per second in the flexor and extensor muscles. A therapy session of 3 minutes at 25 hertz thus corresponds to the same number of muscle contractions per leg, as a walk of 9,000 steps.
The vibrations generated by the Galileo therapy platform can be easily changed in amplitude and frequency independent of body weight.
Do you have further questions about the basics of Galileo ® Therapy? Therapy?
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Galileo® Vibration therapy
The Galileo® story
From bone research on osteoporosis to an innovative therapy concept for young and old.
How it all began
The side-alternating original – Galileo was actually the world’s first side-alternating vibration training device. The first patents for Galileo systems, which have since expired, were registered by the company’s founder Hans Schießl as early as 1996. His findings from his collaboration with international osteoporosis researchers were the background to the invention. Here he quickly realised how crucial muscle function is for good bones. A discovery with which he was far ahead of his time.
One of the first studies* with Galileo equipment in 1998 also coined the term vibration training (in English: Whole Body Vibration Training or WBV), on which Galileo vibration therapy is based and which gave this new form of training and therapy its name.
*) Bosco et. Al: The Influence of Whole Body Vibration on Jumping Performance, BoS,1998;15/3:157-164
Over 25 years of experience
Galileo thus has over 25 years of experience in vibration training and the resulting vibration therapy. Variants of vibration training or vibration therapy are also called acceleration training, vibration training, low-intensity vibration (LIV) or stochastic resonance training or resonance therapy (SRT). However, a clear distinction must be made between training and therapy equipment.
The main mechanical differences* between the various devices and methods result from the type of movement of the plate (side-alternating (Galileo), vertical, horizontal rotation or random), the maximum deflection (amplitude or stroke = amplitude * 2) and the vibration frequency. In addition, a distinction must be made between training equipment and therapy equipment. Depending on the type of movement used, there can be major advantages and disadvantages.
*) Rittweger, Rawer et. Al: Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy, Chapter 3: Design Principles of Available Machines, Springer 2020; ISBN: 978-3-030-43985-9
Side alternation
The functional principle of Galileo® therapy
Simulation of the human gait
Side alternation - The pattern of movement for which the human body has been optimised by nature.
Side alternation
In contrast to other platforms with vertical up and down movement, the simulation of human gait by the rocking movement makes Galileo therapy platforms a therapy method based on a physiological type of movement. This side-alternating movement in Galileo therapy stimulates the spine by tipping the pelvis slightly to the side in a physiological tilting movement. On training platforms with vertical up and down movement, on the other hand, the spine is continuously compressed.
Advantages for the application
In all their movements, people strive to keep their heads in a still and upright position, as their sense of balance and visual system can work better at rest. Due to the design, only minor vibrations are transmitted to the head with Galileo standing devices, as the platform only simulates the human gait, and the body can keep the upper body and head largely still.
Gentle, reflex-based training
The safety aspect
Galileo Therapy - as safe as natural walking.
Very safe, precise dosing and easy to reproduce.
Side alternation
During Galileo therapy on standing devices, stimulus patterns similar to those used during walking are used. This means that Galileo can be used to excellently stimulate not only the basic muscle function itself but also the interaction between individual muscle parts - i.e. their coordination - which, among other things, results in an increase in muscle power. Especially in old age, muscle power is a decisive factor in preventing falls, which can cause fractures of the femur, for example.
Safe & effective
Galileo therapy is also excellent for older people due to its low stress (load) on the cardiovascular system. During Galileo therapy, the entire muscle chain of the legs up to the torso can always be activated. Emphasis on individual muscle groups can be easily varied through posture and body stiffness.
Do you have further questions about the basics of Galileo ® Therapy? Therapy?
Simply arrange a non-binding consultation.
Parameter
What can be adjusted with Galileo® Therapy
These three parameters influence therapy goals and intensity in Galileo Therapy.
Frequency
The frequency in Hertz (= oscillations per second) is adjusted on the device and must always be selected according to the therapy goal of the respective exercise. Low frequencies can be used for mobilisation, medium frequencies for training muscle function and coordination, and high frequencies for increasing muscle power and endurance.
Amplitude
The amplitude, i.e. the deflection of the therapy platform from the neutral position upwards or downwards, can be selected easily and continuously via the foot position. The wider the foot position, the more intensive the therapy. The stroke (peak-to-peak value), on the other hand, is the maximum deflection (difference between highest and lowest position) and thus corresponds to twice the amplitude.
Posture
For most of Galileo Therapy's applications, stretch reflex-based activation of the muscle chain is used. However, the stretch reflex is only triggered in muscles that already have minimal pre-tension. This is the reason why the posture adopted on the device can be used to focus muscle stimulation on a wide variety of body regions.
Galileo® Space
VIbration Training in Space Research
Galileo® is in fact the vibration training device frequently used in space research.
Intensive whole body training
"Galileo is the most intense full-body workout I have experienced in my decades of practice. Great for Astronauts and anybody who wants to keep of gain muscle and bone."
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Galileo® Basic exercises
Frequency ranges
and their effect
Let Galileo® Therapy convince you!
Numerous scientific studies prove the effectiveness of therapy with Galileo.
Benefit from the knowledge gained from 25 years of experience and from over 500 scientific publications on Galileo worldwide.
