Acute Effects of Short-Term Massage Procedures on Neuromechanical Contractile Properties of Rectus Femoris Muscle.

Background and Objectives: In many sports, maintaining muscle work at an optimal level despite fatigue is crucial. Therefore, it is essential to discover the most efficient way of recovery. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the acute effects of four different recovery methods on muscle neuromechanical properties. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted using a randomized, quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design. Fourteen healthy and active male students of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (age 25.1 ± 3.9 years) were included in this study. The tensiomyography was used to evaluate muscle responses after four different types of short-term recovery methods (passive rest, percussive mechanical, vibro-mechanical, and manual massage) on the rectus femoris muscle on four occasions: baseline, post fatigue, post recovery and prolonged recovery. Results: The ANOVA revealed that muscle fatigue decreased maximal vertical muscle displacement (Dm) and muscle contraction time (Tc) in post fatigue compared to the baseline. The most important finding shows that only the vibro-mechanical massage resulted in an increase in Tc in the prolonged recovery compared to the post fatigue (p = 0.028), whereas only manual massage showed no differences in Dm from the baseline in post-recovery (p = 0.148). Moreover, both manual and vibro-mechanical massages increased Dm and Tc in prolonged recovery, indicating no differences from the baseline (all p > 0.05), thus showing signs of muscle recovery. Percussion mechanical massage and passive rest did not show indices of muscle recovery. Conclusions: Manual massage could induce immediate positive changes in Dm by reducing muscle stiffness. In addition, vibro-mechanical and manual massage improved muscle tissue by rapidly returning Dm and Tc values to baseline at prolonged recovery measurement (5 min after the fatigue protocol). These findings can benefit sports practitioners, and physical therapists in developing the best recovery method after muscle fatigue.

The immediate effects of foam rolling of the hamstrings muscle group on the contractile properties of the knee muscles in football players.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive amounts of intense training, without adequate recovery time, can overload the musculoskeletal, immune, and metabolic systems, resulting in a potentially negative effects on later exercise performance. During the competitive period, the ability to recover after intense training and competition is an important factor of success in soccer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hamstring foam rolling on the knee muscle contractile properties in soccer players, after a sports-specific load. METHODS: 20 male professional soccer players were included and contractile properties of the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles were measured with tensiomyography, before and after a Yo-Yo interval test and after 5 × 45 s of hamstring foam rolling. Additionally, active and passive knee extensibility before and after the intervention were measured. A mixed linear model was performed to determine the differences between the mean values of the groups. The experimental group performed foam rolling, while the control was resting. RESULTS: Five repetitions of 45 s of hamstring foam rolling had no statistically significant effect (p > 0.05) on any of the measured muscles following the Yo-Yo interval test or foam rolling intervention. There were no statistically significant differences in delay time, contraction time and maximum muscle amplitude between groups. Active and passive knee extensibility did not differ between groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It seems that foam rolling does not affect mechanical properties of the knee muscles or hamstring extensibility in soccer players, after a sports-specific load.

Effects of motor imagery training on skeletal muscle contractile properties in sports science students.

Background: Studies on motor imagery (MI) practice based on different designs and training protocols have reported changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength. However, to date, there is a lack of information on the effects of MI training on contractile properties of the trained muscle. Methods: Forty-five physically active sport science students (21 female) were investigated who trained three times per week over a 4-week period in one of three groups: An MI group conducted MI practice of maximal isometric contraction of the biceps brachii; a physical exercise (PE) group physically practiced maximal isometric contractions of the biceps brachii in a biceps curling machine; and a visual imagery (VI) group performed VI training of a landscape. A MVC test of the arm flexors was performed in a biceps curling machine before and after 4 weeks of training. The muscular properties of the biceps brachii were also tested with tensiomyography measurements (TMG). Results: Results showed an interaction effect between time and group for MVC (p = 0.027, η 2 = 0.17), with a higher MVC value in the PE group (Δ5.9%) compared to the VI group (Δ -1.3%) (p = 0.013). MVC did not change significantly in the MI group (Δ2.1%). Analysis of muscle contractility via TMG did not show any interaction effects neither for maximal radial displacement (p = 0.394, η 2 = 0.05), delay time (p = 0.79, η 2 = 0.01) nor contraction velocity (p = 0.71, η 2 = 0.02). Conclusion: In spite of MVC-related changes in the PE group due to the interventions, TMG measurements were not sensitive enough to detect concomitant neuronal changes related to contractile properties.

Effects of Meditation on Cardiovascular and Muscular Responses in Patients during Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the world's number one cause of death, with exceeding psychosocial stress load being considered a major risk factor. A stress management technique that has repeatedly shown positive effects on the cardiovascular system is the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the potential effect of TM on the recovery of cardiac patients. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that practicing TM in patients undergoing a 4-week cardiac rehabilitation program augments the recovery of cardiovascular parameters and reduces skeletal muscle tone after rehabilitation. METHODS: Twenty cardiac patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either the control or the TM group. Cardiovascular parameters were assessed with the Task Force Monitor (TFM) and skeletal muscle contractile properties by Tensiomyography during a sit-stand test, performed at the beginning and end of a 4-week in-patient rehabilitation program. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower after 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation, while the RR-interval (RRI) significantly increased. At the skeletal muscle level, the contraction time and maximal displacement increased, though only in the gastrocnemius medialis and biceps femoris muscles and not in vastus lateralis. Group interactions were not observed for hemodynamic parameters nor for muscle contractile properties. DISCUSSION: Although significant improvements in hemodynamic and muscular parameters were observed after 4 weeks of rehabilitation, we could not provide evidence that TM improved rehabilitation after 4 weeks. TM may unfold its effects on the cardiovascular system in the longer term. Hence, future studies should comprise a long-term follow-up.

Motor imagery and the muscle system.

Many studies have investigated the activation of cortical areas and corticospinal excitability during motor imagery (MI) in relation to motor execution. Similar activation of cortical areas during imagined and executed bodily movements and increased corticospinal excitability while imagining movements has been demonstrated. Despite these similarities on the central nervous system level, there is no overt movement during MI. This suggests that centrally generated signals must be inhibited at some level. Second, even in the absence of movement, some studies find behavioral effects of MI interventions. Most of the studies have investigated the role of MI on the cortical or spinal level, but less is known about the peripheral level, such as the muscle system. Testing muscular excitability during MI will give further hints whether and how low-threshold motor commands during MI reach the muscular system. Furthermore, the extent of the shown effects during imagery depends considerably on type of imagery, available proprioceptive information, and imagery ability. Therefore, this study investigates muscular excitability of the biceps brachii muscle manipulating imagery mode (MI vs. visual imagery) and proprioceptive information (with or without muscle effort). 40 participants were included in the analysis. The mechanical response of the muscle after a single electrical stimulus was assessed via tensiomyography. The corresponding variables maximal displacement, delay time, and contraction velocity were used to calculate 2 × 2 ANOVAs with repeated measurements. The absence of interaction effects shows that possible imagery effects on the muscle system are not increased by effort. MI altered time to contraction with lower delay time compared to control condition. Velocity and maximal displacement of the muscle belly during contraction did not differ between imagery conditions. This indicates that MI might impact on the initiation of muscle contraction but does not change the contraction itself. Thus, neuronal factors are moving further into focus in the context of MI research.

Effects of dry needling on mechanical and contractile properties of the upper trapezius with latent myofascial trigger points: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Latent trigger point (LTrP) can cause motor dysfunction and disturb normal patterns of motor recruitment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of DN in the upper trapezius (UT) LTrP on pain and the mechanical and contractile properties of the muscle. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group-trial. METHODS: Fifty healthy volunteers with LTrPs in the UT were randomly divided into a DN-group (n = 26) and a Sham-DN-group (n = 24) and received one session of DN or placebo treatment. Mechanical and contractile properties of the muscle and pressure pain perception (PPP) were evaluated before treatment and in a 30min, 24 h and 72 h follow-up after treatment. RESULTS: In the mechanical properties, the DN-group showed lower values than the Sham-DN-group for dynamic stiffness at 72 h (p = 0.04). The DN-group showed lower values for dynamic stiffness at 72 h from baseline (278.74 ± 38.40 to 261.54 ± 33.64 N/m; p = 0.01) and for tone at 72 h from 30min (16.62 ± 1.27 to 15.88 ± 1.31 Hz; p = 0.01). In the contractile properties, the DN-group showed higher values for maximal radial displacement (Dm) of the muscle belly at 72 h from baseline (5.38 ± 1.67 to 6.13 ± 1.70 mm; p = 0.04), higher values for contraction time at 30min (28.53 ± 8.80 s; p = 0.03) and lower ones at 72 h (24.74 ± 4.36 s; p = 0.04) from baseline (26.97 ± 6.63 s). The DN-group showed a decrease of PPP from baseline to 72 h after treatment (5.16 ± 1.33 to 4.02 ± 0.97 mm; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The application of DN in healthy volunteers over LTrPs in the UT decreased dynamic stiffness, tone and contraction time and increased Dm at 72 h after treatment. Additionally, the PPP showed a decrease at 72 h after needling. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT04466813.

Effects of equine riding on static and dynamic mechanical contraction of the thighs and trunk muscles in inactive women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether equine riding affects static or dynamic mechanical contractions on the thighs and trunk muscles in inactive women. METHODS: Participants consisted of 30 women with a mean (SD) age of 21.06 (0.44) years. They were randomly allotted as follows: equine group (EQG, n= 15) and control group (CON, n= 15). Two types of muscle contraction properties in their thighs and trunk were measured through a tensiomyography (static muscle tester) and an isokinetic device (dynamic muscle tester), respectively. Using the body weights of EQG and CON as covariates, a 2-way between-groups multivariate analysis of covariance was used to investigate group differences in the mechanical quantification of the thighs and trunk. RESULTS: The effectiveness of 8 weeks of equine riding was hardly observed in a static muscle test, whereas in the dynamic muscle test, the dominant and non-dominant hip extensor/flexor, the dominant hip abductor/adductor, and trunk extensor in the EQG showed a significant increase, compared to no changes in the CON. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find any particular differences in a static muscle test in inactive women, but showed improvements in the dynamic mechanical properties of the thighs and trunk, which are major muscle groups related to spinal alignment.

Ingesting a Post-Workout Vegan-Protein Multi-Ingredient Expedites Recovery after Resistance Training in Trained Young Males.

Post workout multi-ingredient admixtures are commonly used to maximize recovery after exercise. The present double-blind, cross-over study compared the acute effects of ingesting a protein-vegan multi-ingredient (VGMT) vs. maltodextrin (MALT) on indices of muscle function. Ten trained males, (26.8 ± 1.9 years) performed two identical, 3-day resistance training periods (one workout-session per day) while receiving either VGMT or MALT (10 min after the completion of each workout). Following a baseline evaluation, we conducted assessments at, 1-h, 24-h and 48-h after the 3-day training period. Primary outcome included the evoked tensiomyography contraction velocity (Vc) of vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris long head (BFLH) and anterior deltoids (AD). Secondary outcomes involved strength and power performance while the other tensiomyography variables [muscle displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc)] were considered as exploratory. After 1-h, all the tensiomyography variables measured at VM and BFLH were similarly depressed in both treatments. Only MALT showed a significantly lower Vc (-0.02 m.s-1, 95% CI, -0.04, -0.01) in the AD. After 24-h, the VGMT treatment normalized all tensiomyography values. Conversely, impaired scores were observed in Vc for the VM (-0.03 m.s-1, 95% CI, -0.06, -0.01) and BFLH (-0.02 m.s-1, 95% CI, -0.05, 0.01) in the MALT treatment. Particularly, the Vc in VM was lower (p = 0.043) in MALT compared to VGMT. Overall, both treatments required 48-h to regain their performance capacity; however, VGMT produced better vertical jump and squat performance at 24-h vs. MALT. Compared to MALT, a vegan-protein multi-ingredient appears to hasten the recovery of muscular function over a 24-h period.

Effects of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation across a Five-Day Resistance and Endurance Training Microcycle in Middle-Aged Adults.

Preworkout multi-ingredient admixtures are used to maximise exercise performance. The present double-blind, cross-over study compared the acute effects of ingesting a preworkout multi-ingredient (PREW) admixture vs. carbohydrate (CHO) over a week (microcycle) comprising three resistance training (RT) workouts alternated with two 30-min low-intensity endurance sessions (END) on RT volume (kg lifted) and END substrate oxidation. Additionally, postworkout decreases of muscle function and subjective responses were analysed. Following a baseline assessment, fourteen recreationally trained, middle-aged adults (seven females, 48.8 ± 4.7 years old) completed two identical microcycles separated by a two-week washout period while receiving either PREW or CHO (15 min prior to workout). The RT volume, per session (SVOL) and for the entire week (WVOL), was calculated. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) during 30-min cycling corresponding to their individually determined maximal fat oxidation was measured using expired gasses and indirect calorimetry. Assessments of performance and tensiomyography were conducted within 20 min after each RT. Higher (p = 0.001) SVOL and WVOL along with a larger proportion of FAO (p = 0.05) during the second END workout were determined under the PREW treatment. No other statistically significant differences were observed between conditions. Compared to CHO, a preworkout multi-ingredient appears to increase resistance volume and favour fat oxidation during low-intensity endurance exercises.

Is Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation a Tool for Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Cross-Over Study with Lifeguards.

This study aimed to evaluate the degree to which transcutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) enhanced recovery following a simulated water rescue. Twenty-six lifeguards participated in this study. The rescue consisted of swimming 100 m with fins and rescue-tube: 50 m swim approach and 50 m tow-in a simulated victim. Blood lactate clearance, rated perceived effort (RPE), and muscle contractile properties were evaluated at baseline, after the water rescue, and after ES or passive-recovery control condition (PR) protocol. Tensiomiography, RPE, and blood lactate basal levels indicated equivalence between both groups. There was no change in tensiomiography from pre to post-recovery and no difference between recovery protocols. Overall-RPE, legs-RPE and arms-RPE after ES (mean ± SD; 2.7 ± 1.53, 2.65 ± 1.66, and 2.30 ± 1.84, respectively) were moderately lower than after PR (3.57 ± 2.4, 3.71 ± 2.43, and 3.29 ± 1.79, respectively) (p = 0.016, p = 0.010, p = 0.028, respectively). There was a significantly lower blood lactate level after recovery in ES than in PR (mean ± SD; 4.77 ± 1.86 mmol·L-1 vs. 6.27 ± 3.69 mmol·L-1; p = 0.045). Low-frequency ES immediately after a water rescue is an effective recovery strategy to clear out blood lactate concentration.

Localization of Muscle Edema and Changes on Muscle Contractility After Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscle.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscles that elicit local and referred pain when stimulated. Among the variety of techniques used for treating TrPs, dry needling (DN) is the most commonly applied intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of DN remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in skeletal muscle after DN in the area where the TrP is located. METHODS: We measured in vivo changes that occur in human skeletal muscle one hour after DN over a TrP with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tensiomyography. The study included 18 asymptomatic subjects with a latent TrP in one medial gastrocnemius muscle, and the contralateral leg was used as control. RESULTS: The results showed that MRI signal intensity significantly increased one hour after the DN intervention, suggesting the presence of intramuscular edema. Tensiomyographic parameters showed higher muscle stiffness with an improvement in contraction time after DN. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing intramuscular edema after TrP DN in human skeletal muscle. Future research should focus on using DN therapy in patients with active TrPs and on monitoring changes occurring at longer follow-up with imaging techniques.

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Muscle Injuries / 대한스포츠의학회지

Muscle injuries are very common in sports fields so diagnosis and prevention of them are as important as treatment in sports medicine. Many other devices for muscle diagnostics are provided, but non-invasiveness, cost, validity and reliability become a good measure of diagnosing and monitoring athletes. Tensiomyography (TMG) has been developed in the late 1980s to evaluate deficient muscle initially, and it was introduced into sports medicine and athletic training. It is a simple to use selective and non-invasive for measuring a skeletal muscle response. The method is based on the measurement of the radial displacement of muscle belly, which is caused by an electrical stimulator. The displacement is measured with an electric sensor which is connected to a computer system. It gives the information of maximal displacement of the belly (Dm) with following time parameters: delay time, contraction time (Tc), sustain time, and relaxation time. TMG studies usually focus on two common parameters: Tc and Dm. An increase in Tc indicates a muscle with a predominance of slow-twitch fibers. A decrease in Dm indicates an increase in muscle stiffness or tone. Other studies have been mainly associated with physiological characteristics of muscles, risk factors for muscle or ligament injuries, muscle fatigue, and muscle diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We think the application of TMG to the sports field can reduce the risk of sports injuries and increase performance of athletes. In medical field, it allows functional diagnosis of muscle strain, monitoring rehabilitation, and modifying treatment strategy effectively.