Korean J Health Promot.  2019 Jun;19(2):114-120. 10.15384/kjhp.2019.19.2.114.

Analysis of Contractile Properties in Gastrocnemius, Tibialis Anterior Muscle of Amateur Male Soccer Players Using Tensiomyography

• Lee SJ
• Bang HS
• Hwang BG

• KMID: 2452949
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2019.19.2.114

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Tensiomyography (TMG) is a relatively new technique that assesses the contractile properties of muscles in response to a single electrical stimulus. This study aimed to evaluate the contractile properties of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in amateur soccer players using TMG.
METHODS
We recruited 41 male soccer players (high school group, n=21; college group, n=20). The gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and TA muscles of both lower extremities were assessed using TMG. The maximal displacement (Dm), delay time, contraction time (Tc), sustained time, and half-relaxation time were obtained and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
First, both groups showed low Dm for the GM and TA muscles, which indicated high stiffness of the muscle tone. Second, the Tc and contraction velocity (Vc) were high for all muscles, except for the GL showing lower speed than the other muscles, which represented the sports-specific characteristics of the soccer players. Third, there were no significant differences in the measurement variables between the dominant and non-dominant sides, except for the Tc of the GM in high school athletes and Vc of the TA in college athletes.
CONCLUSIONS
These results reflected the sports-specific needs and characteristics of soccer players. A risk of injury is associated with a high degree of stiffness, and various methods for preventing it should be considered.

Keyword

Elasticity imaging techniques; Gastrocnemius muscle; Tibialis anterior muscle; Muscle contraction

MeSH Terms

Athletes
Elasticity Imaging Techniques
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male*
Muscle Contraction
Muscle, Skeletal
Muscles
Soccer*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 (A) Components of tensiomyography system and (B) TMG record with parameters. Dm, maximal displacement; Tc, contraction time; Td, delay time; Tr, relaxation time; Ts, sustain time.

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  Figure 2 Positioning of the subject during tibialis anterior (A) and gastrocnemius medialis (B) measurements.

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  Figure 3 Comparison between dominant and non-dominant on Dm, Tc, Vc of high-school. Dm, displacement maximum; GL, gastrocnemius lateralis; GM, gastrocnemius medialis; TA, tibialis anterior; Tc, contraction time; Vc, contraction velocity. aP<0.05.

• 

  Figure 4 Comparison between dominant and non-dominant on Dm, Tc, Vc of collegiate. Dm, displacement maximum; GL, gastrocnemius lateralis; GM, gastrocnemius medialis; TA, tibialis anterior; Tc, contraction time; Vc, contraction velocity. aP<0.05.

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