Explore the vast range of titles available.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of four methods of assessing vastus lateralis (VL) stiffness, and to describe the influence of structural characteristics on them. The stiffness of the dominant lower-limb’s VL was evaluated in 53 healthy participants (28.4 ± 9.1 years) with shear wave elastography (SWE), strain elastography (SE), myotonometry and tensiomyography (TMG). The SWE, SE and myotonometry were performed at 50%, and TMG was assessed at 30%, of the length from the upper pole of the patella to the greater trochanter. The thickness of the VL, adipose tissue and superficial connective tissue was also measured with ultrasound. Three repeated measurements were acquired to assess reliability, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between methodologic assessments and between structural characteristics and stiffness assessments of the VL. Myotonometry (ICC = 0.93; 95%-CI = 0.89,0.96) and TMG (ICC = 0.89; 95%-CI = 0.82,0.94) showed excellent inter-day reliability whereas with SWE (ICC = 0.62; 95%-CI = 0.41,0.77) and SE (ICC = 0.71; 95%-CI = 0.57,0.81) reliability was moderate. Significant correlations were found between myotonometry and VL thickness (r = 0.361; p = 0.008), adipose tissue thickness (r = −0.459; p = 0.001) and superficial connective tissue thickness (r = 0.340; p = 0.013). Myotonometry and TMG showed the best reliability values, although myotonometry stiffness values were influenced by the structural variables of the supra-adjacent tissue.

Background and Objectives: Muscle properties are critical for performance and injury risk, with changes occurring due to physical exertion, aging, and neurological conditions. The MyotonPro device offers a non-invasive method to comprehensively assess muscle biomechanical properties. This systematic review evaluates the reliability of MyotonPro across various muscles for diagnostic purposes. Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Ovid (Med), Epistemonikos, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials platform. Studies assessing the reliability of MyotonPro across different muscles were included. A methodological quality assessment was performed using established tools, and reviewers independently conducted data extraction. Statistical analysis involved summarizing intra-rater and inter-rater reliability measures across muscles. Results: A total of 48 studies assessing 31 muscles were included in the systematic review. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were consistently high for parameters such as frequency and stiffness in muscles of the lower and upper extremities, as well as other muscle groups. Despite methodological heterogeneity and limited data on specific parameters, MyotonPro demonstrated promising reliability for diagnostic purposes across diverse patient populations. Conclusions: The findings suggest the potential of MyotonPro in clinical assessments for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of muscle properties. Further research is needed to address limitations and enhance the applicability of MyotonPro in clinical practice. Reliable muscle assessments are crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving patient care in various healthcare settings.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in muscle contractile properties during a training microcycle in semi-professional female football players and explore their relationship with training load variables. Nineteen players (age: 23.9 ± 3.9 years; body mass: 60.6 ± 6.9 kg; height: 164.5 ± 6.7 cm) underwent myotonometric assessments of the biceps femoris (BF) and rectus femoris (RF) before and after the following training sessions: MD1 (i.e., 1 day after the match), MD3, MD4, and MD5. Training loads were quantified for each session, revealing significant variations, with MD4 exhibiting the highest values for high-speed running distance, number of sprints, and accelerations. Notably, MD3 showed the highest perceived exertion (RPE), while MD5 recorded the lowest total distance run. Myotonometric assessments indicated significant differences in stiffness of the RF in MD3 and BF in MD5, as well as RF tone in MD5. The findings underscore a notable relationship between training load and myotometric variables, particularly in muscle stiffness and tone. These results emphasize the need for further research to clarify how training loads affect muscle properties in female athletes.

The assessment of biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of superficial tissues using myotonometry has gained prominence in clinical and research settings due to its ease of use and ability to provide objective measurements. However, there is a tendency to assess only a single point without considering anatomical or functional variations, and its representativeness for broad regions, such as the lower limbs, remains uncertain. Consequently, we aimed to develop a standardized multi-point protocol for evaluating biomechanical and viscoelastic properties in the lower limbs using myotonometry, test its feasibility and discriminative capacity, and present preliminary exploratory findings. A multi-point myotonometric assessment protocol was developed, where thirty-eight assessment points were identified and described for evaluating the anterior, lateral, posterior, and inferior compartments of the lower limbs. The protocol was applied to both limbs of 13 healthy adult males (age: 32.15 ± 6.50 years). Values were described using mean and standard deviation, and comparisons between consecutive points were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Effect sizes were calculated as r = Z/√N. IBM ® SPSS Statistics 20.0 was used with a significant level of 5%. Stiffness values (N/m) showed statistically significant variations between consecutive points, ranging from 136.87 N/m (± 25.55) to 1118.28 N/m (± 357.84), with effect sizes ranging from r  = 0.595 to r  = 0.874. The statistically significant increase in the proximal-distal and medio-lateral directions, with progressively higher values ​​in the distal and lateral regions, indicates a directional behavior of this property. The proposed multi-point methodology represents an advancement in non-invasive biomechanical assessment. As a methodological development study with preliminary findings, the protocol demonstrates capacity to detect location-dependent variations in stiffness with large effect sizes. Following validation in larger, diverse cohorts, it offers potential for improving diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and understanding tissue adaptation mechanisms in clinical and functional contexts. Trial registration: CEPSH/UDESC (CAAE 65601722.5.0000.0118).

The biomechanical characteristics of the erector spinae muscles are crucial for evaluating treatment effectiveness. Although it is widely believed that myofascial release directly impacts muscle biomechanics, there has been limited research directly comparing manual (MMR) and tool-assisted (TMR) applications. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the immediate biomechanical effects of MMR and TMR on the erector spinae muscles, using the MyotonPRO device to measure and compare changes in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity. Thirty healthy adult physical therapy students (21.19 ± 1.93 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the MMR or TMR group. Biomechanical properties (elasticity, tone, and stiffness) were measured before and immediately after three sets of 15 repetitions of the assigned intervention. Post-intervention, the MMR group showed a significant decrease in muscle stiffness and tone (p < 0.0125), while the TMR group showed no significant changes in any of the measured parameters (all p > 0.05). A comparison of the percentage change from baseline also revealed significant differences in elasticity, stiffness, and tone between the two groups (p < 0.0125). This study demonstrates that MMR produces a significant and immediate reduction in erector spinae muscle stiffness and tone, an effect not observed with TMR.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of a short assessment MyotonPRO protocol to measure the stiffness of the superficial muscles and tendons of the lower limbs. The stiffness of the dominant lower limb vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) and patellar tendon (PT) was evaluated in 52 healthy participants (26.9 ± 3.4 years) with two MyotonPRO protocols: the standard protocol (10 mechanical taps) and the short protocol (five mechanical taps). The myotonometry was performed at the midpoint of the length from the upper pole of the patella to the greater trochanter for the VL, and to the anterior superior iliac spine for the RF. The PT was evaluated 1 cm caudal from the inferior pole of the patella. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between protocols. The validity of the short protocol was evaluated with Student’s t-test. High positive correlations were observed between the short and standard protocols in the stiffness of the VL (r = 0.959; p < 0.001), the RF (r = 0.967; p < 0.001) and the PT (r = 0.953; p < 0.001) and no differences were found between both protocols in the stiffness assessment of the VL, RF and PT (p > 0.05). Therefore, the five-compressions protocol is a valid protocol for the assessment of lower limb mechanical properties.

Background There is still a lack of clinically practical device, which allows to perform rapid and accurate examination of the skin condition. For this reason, suitability of the MyotonPRO for the assessment of skin biomechanical and viscoelastic parameters was evaluated in this study. The aim of the study was to establish the reference values of five parameters measured by MyotonPRO various locations of human skin. Materials and methods Oscillation frequency, dynamic stiffness, logarithmic decrement, mechanical stress relaxation and creep were measured at three different skin locations (clavicula, volar forearm and shin), using L‐shape short and medium arm probes in 32 young female volunteers. Mean values of obtained parameters recorded by both probes were compared among three skin locations while reliabilities of measurements were assessed. Additionally, relationships between all recorded parameters were examined Results There were no statistically significant differences between the mean values of five measured parameters obtained with both probes in all investigated areas. However, statistically significant differences of mean values of almost all parameters measured among three places examined were found. Despite considerable differences in mean values of obtained parameters, there were visible strong correlations between some studied parameters in all three investigated areas of skin. Conclusion It was demonstrated in all locations studied that the higher value of oscillation frequency corresponds to the higher value of dynamic stiffness, moreover such tissue recovers faster to its initial shape, and it was characterized by lower creep values. Such results indicate the existence of identical relationships between the same studied parameters in different areas of skin.

Background Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a major complication of diabetes, often leading to impaired mobility and increased risk of recurrence due to persistent biomechanical alterations. Understanding the mechanical properties of foot muscles, tendons, and fascia may provide insight into ulcer development, prevention and rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical properties of the extrinsic foot muscles, Achilles tendon (AT), and plantar fascia (PF) in individuals with a history of DFU using myotonometry. Methods A total of 38 diabetic feet with a history of DFU (Wagner Grade 0–1) and 40 healthy controls (HC) were evaluated. The MyotonPRO device was used to measure muscle tone (Natural Oscillation Frequency, F), stiffness, and elasticity in the tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), AT, and PF. Measurements were performed in standardized positions, with statistical comparisons made between groups using independent t-tests. Results TA and GM showed significantly increased muscle tone and stiffness in the DFU group compared to HC ( p  < 0.05), whereas GL did not exhibit significant differences. Similarly, PF and AT stiffness were higher in the DFU group ( p  < 0.05), suggesting alterations in tissue load distribution. No significant differences in elasticity were observed between groups. Conclusions This study highlights persistent mechanical alterations in the TA, GM, AT, and PF in individuals with a history of DFU, despite ulcer healing. The increased stiffness and tone in these structures may contribute to abnormal foot loading patterns, potentially increasing the risk of ulcer recurrence. The findings emphasize the importance of early biomechanical assessment and targeted rehabilitation strategies, such as neuromuscular training, load redistribution, Achilles tendon stretching and custom orthotic interventions to mitigate mechanical dysfunction in diabetic foot patients. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the effects of different cervicothoracic postures on the stiffness of trapezius muscles and (2) compare the stiffness of the dominant and non-dominant trapezius muscles. Twenty-one healthy participants joined in this project. After maintaining different cervicothoracic postures for 2 min, MyotonPRO was used to measure the stiffness of the trapezius. The results showed that (1) the stiffness of trapezius muscles was significantly affected by different cervicothoracic postures. With the increase of neck flexion angle, the stiffness of the trapezius muscles increased ( p  < 0.05). The muscle stiffness of upper back relaxed was higher than that of upper back upright ( p  < 0.05). (2) The trapezius muscles on the non-dominant side were stiffer than that on the dominant side ( p  < 0.05). Poor cervicothoracic postures will increase the stiffness of upper, middle and lower trapezius muscles. Keeping the neck and upper back upright will keep the muscle stiffness at a low level, so as to reduce the occurrence of neck and shoulder fatigue and pain. Graphical abstract

Background Dehydration in children remains a common yet potentially life-threatening clinical challenge, particularly in primary care and emergency settings where rapid, objective, and non-invasive assessment tools are limited. Skin biomechanics may offer a new way of measuring hydration status. Objective To investigate the utility of a non-invasive skin biomechanical measurement device (MyotonPro ® ) in differentiating hydration status in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Methods In this prospective case–control study conducted at Gaziantep University Hospital, 64 children were evaluated using the MyotonPro ® device at three anatomical sites: 1.5 cm above the umbilicus, and 4 cm above the wrist on the posterior surfaces of both arms. Dehydration was defined by serum osmolality ≥ 290 mOsm/kg or urine specific gravity > 1.025. Oscillation frequency, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity were measured and compared between dehydrated ( n  = 32) and non-dehydrated ( n  = 32) participants. Laboratory results and World Health Organization clinical dehydration scale findings were analysed and compared with the device measurements. Results Children in the dehydration group exhibited significantly lower oscillation frequency (18.75 ± 2.63 Hz vs. 20.64 ± 4.16 Hz; p  = 0.034) and dynamic stiffness (430.06 ± 83.60 N/m vs. 499.78 ± 169.28 N/m; p  = 0.042) in the right arm. Although similar results were observed in the left arm, there was no statistically significant difference. Biochemical markers such as creatinine, sodium, plasma osmolality, and urine specific gravity were significantly elevated in the dehydration group. Correlations were observed between MyotonPro ® parameters and serum creatinine, BUN, and albumin levels. Conclusion MyotonPro ® demonstrated significant differences in selected parameters (right arm oscillation frequency and stiffness), suggesting potential sensitivity to hydration status. However, its overall discriminative ability was limited. Therefore, MyotonPro ® may serve as a supportive, but not standalone, tool in clinical decision-making for monitoring hydration levels, particularly in primary care and emergency settings.