In this study, we used tensiomyography (TMG) to assess muscle status immediately after an ultra-endurance triathlon. Maximal radial displacement or deformation of the muscle belly, contraction time, delay time, sustain time, and relaxation time were measured for both legs, and dependent t-tests were used to compare means between the beginning and end of the race. The 19 men assessed (age 37.9 ± 7.1 years; height 177.5 ± 4.6 cm; weight: 73.6 ± 6.5 kg) participated in the 2009 edition of the Lanzarote Ironman. Deterioration in the neural response was observed for contraction time (P = 0.008) and relaxation time (P = 0.011), with a moderate decrease in the response time (sustain time) and a loss in muscle stiffness (deformation of the muscle belly). The effect of muscle fatigue on the rectus femoris and biceps femoris was different. Barely any changes in contraction time, relaxation time, sustain time, and deformation of the muscle belly were observed, while only the contraction response time decreased to a significant extent (reduction in delay time; P = 0.003). The considerable loss in contractile capacity induced by a long-distance race was reflected in changes in the neuromuscular response and fluctuations in the contractile capacity of the muscle. These modifications, derived from a prolonged, exhausting effort, can be assessed in a simple, non-aggressive, non-invasive way using tensiomyography.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the ability of TMG in detecting mechanical fatigue induced by two different resistance exercises on biceps brachii: high-volume (HV), and high-load (HL). Sixteen healthy subjects (age 25.1±2.6years; body mass 79.9±8.9kg; height 179±7.4cm) performed arm-curl in two different protocols (HV: 8×15×10kg, HL: 5×3×30kg). Tensiomyography was used to assess muscle response to both exercise protocols. The contractile capacity of biceps brachii significantly varied by means of the effects of potentiation and fatigue mechanisms that take place at different exercise phases. The most significant changes correspond to values of maximum radial displacement of muscle belly (D(m)), sustained contraction time (T(s)), relaxation time (T(r)), and contraction velocity (V(c)). The behavior of these parameters is, in general, similar in both exercise protocols, but they show subtle differences among them. During the first set, in both protocols, values for V(c) increase, along with a decrease in T(r), T(s), and D(m) values. Fatigue onset was evident from changes in such parameters, with HL being the first in showing these mechanisms. Tensiomyography has been shown to be highly sensitive in detecting fatigue-induced changes.

This study shows that repeated cold-water immersions (4 × 4 mins at 4°C) cause considerable alterations to muscle behavior. These alterations significantly affect the state of muscles and their response capacity, particularly in relation to muscle stiffness and muscle contraction velocity.

The aim of the present study was to analyse differences in muscle response and mechanical characteristics of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris in elite volleyball players of both sexes using tensiomyography. To this end, 47 players of nine nationalities playing for teams in the men's and women's Spanish Superleagues were assessed. The sample comprised 22 women (age 24.694.3 years; weight 72.14910.06 kg; height 178.4098.50 cm) and 25 men (age 25.094.3 years; weight 88.7699.07 kg; height 194.7197.84 cm). Tensiomyography was used to assess muscular response and muscular mechanical characteristics. For this purpose, the following variables were analysed: maximum radial displacement of muscle belly and normalized response speed. The findings show, both in men and women, a higher normalized response speed score in the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis compared with the rectus femoris and biceps femoris. A marked lateral symmetry of maximum radial displacement of the muscle belly was also observed in the musculature of the lower limbs, with no statistically significant differences being detected in either men or women. There were, however, clear differences in terms of normalized response speed between male and female volleyball players: women displayed a more pronounced difference in the normalized response speed of the musculature responsible for extension (vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis) and flexion (biceps femoris) of the knee joint than men. Moreover, tensiomyography proved to be a highly sensitive tool for detecting such changes.