Acute whole-body vibration therapy enhances cognitive speed without altering heart rate variability in healthy young adults

Whole-body vibration therapy (WBVT) is increasingly recognized as an alternative exercise modality with established benefits for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health. Its effects on cognitive performance and autonomic regulation in healthy young adults, however, remain unclear. This within-subject study investigated whether acute WBVT influences executive function and heart rate variability (HRV). Thirty-six healthy volunteers (aged 18–25 years) completed two testing sessions separated by 7 days: a baseline (no vibration) session and a single 10-min WBVT session performed in a standing posture. Cognitive performance was assessed immediately after each session using a modified Stroop test, and electrocardiographic recordings were analyzed for HRV indices, including stress index, low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power, LF/HF ratio, and mean heart rate. Compared with baseline, WBVT was associated with faster mean reaction times for congruent and incongruent Stroop stimuli (all p < 0.001) without changes in response accuracy. The stress index increased during the Stroop task relative to baseline (p = 0.052) and returned toward baseline following WBVT, whereas LF, HF, the LF/HF ratio, and total power showed no statistically significant changes. In this cohort, acute WBVT was associated with improved processing speed without measurable alterations in standard HRV metrics. These preliminary findings suggest that WBVT may transiently facilitate attentional processing in healthy young adults, but controlled trials with sham conditions and mechanistic measures are needed to confirm and contextualize these effects.