Normative Parameters of Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness and Associations with Patient Characteristics and Function

Hoffman, Larisa R.; Koppenhaver, Shane; MacDonald, Cameron W.; Herrera, Johnny M; Streuli, Joshua; Visco, Zachary L; Wildermuth, Nicole; Albin, Stephanie

doi:10.26603/001c.18803

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…A second key observation of our study was that no association (only exception: M2 at 10 mm: weight) was found between tissue stiffness and person characteristics. This is in contrast to earlier studies reporting significant correlations between soft tissue stiffness and sex [ 18 , 65 , 66 ], age [ 17 , 65 , 66 ] or BMI [ 9 ]. Interestingly, the study by Wilke et al [ 5 ] also failed to identify a relationship of stiffness and BMI or sex.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, soft tissue stiffness, the resistance of biological structures to an external deforming force [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], has attracted increasing interest among researchers and clinicians working with patients and athletes. This is mainly due to early evidence suggesting that the stiffness of the muscular and connective tissue may help identify pathological tissue states [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], monitor therapy or training effects [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] or prevent sports injury [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, in the daily routine, most physiotherapists or trainers do not have access to sophisticated and complex measurement technologies (e.g., elastography) and thus, there is a need for straightforward and easy-to-handle devices capturing biomechanical soft tissue properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness

Koch

Schleip²,

Wilke³

2022

JCM

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Changes in tissue stiffness are associated with pathological conditions such as myofascial pain and increased risk of muscle injury. Furthermore, they have been shown to modify performance indicators such as running economy or jump height. Indentometry is an affordable way to assess tissue stiffness. However, to date, there is a paucity of studies examining the measurement properties of available devices. With this trial, we aimed to evaluate the reliability of the “IndentoPro”. Two investigators repeatedly measured the stiffness of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle in healthy participants (N = 35), using 5 and 10 mm indentation depths. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) revealed moderate inter-rater reliability (5 mm: ICC3,1 0.74, 95%CI = 0.54 to 0.86, p < 0.001; 10 mm: ICC3,1 0.59, 95%CI = 0.27 to 0.78, p < 0.001) and good intra-rater reliability (5 mm: ICC3,1 0.84, 95%CI = 0.71 to 0.92, p < 0.001; 10 mm: ICC3,1 0.83, 95%CI = 0.69 to 0.91, p < 0.001). No correlations between age, height, weight, BMI, skinfold thickness and myofascial tissue stiffness were observed (p > 0.5). In conclusion, the IndentoPro is reliable in assessing calf tissue stiffness, but the predictors of stiffness remain unclear.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness

Koch

Schleip²,

Wilke³

2022

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In another recent study, the relationships between gastrocnemius muscle stiffness, BMI, and other factors (e.g., age, race, anxiety) were investigated in healthy individuals 18-50 years of age. No association was found between BMI and gastrocnemius muscle stiffness at rest or during contraction [33]. In a study comparing the viscoelastic properties of erector spinae muscle in patients with ankylosing spondylitis versus healthy controls, a weak correlation was found between BMI and viscoelastic properties in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

The Relation of Body Mass Index to Muscular Viscoelastic Properties in Normal and Overweight Individuals

2021

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Background: The body mass index (BMI) is closely related to fat tissue, which may have direct or indirect effects on muscle function. Previous studies have evaluated BMI and muscle viscoelastic properties in vivo in older people or individual sexes; however, the relationship between BMI and muscular viscoelastic properties is still unknown. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of BMI with muscular viscoelastic properties, and to compare these properties in a young sedentary population with normal and overweight individuals. Methods: A total of 172 healthy sedentary individuals (mean age, 26.00 ± 5.45 years) were categorized by sex (male and female) and BMI classification (normal (BMI, 18.50–24.99 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25.00–29.99 kg/m2)). Body weight was evaluated using an electronic scale, while height was measured using a standard stadiometer. BMI was calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. The viscoelastic properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) of the biceps brachii (BB) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were measured bilaterally using the MyotonPRO device at rest. Results: The bilateral BF tone and stiffness, right BB stiffness, and elasticity showed weak correlations with BMI in all participants. Furthermore, the bilateral BF tone and stiffness, right BB stiffness and elasticity, and left BB stiffness were weakly positively correlated with male sex. Only the right BB elasticity was weakly positively correlated with BMI in females (p < 0.05). No correlation with BMI was determined for other viscoelastic properties (p > 0.05). The overweight group showed increased bilateral BF stiffness and tone, right BB stiffness, and reduced bilateral BB elasticity compared to the normal-weight group (p < 0.05), while other viscoelastic properties were similar (p > 0.05). Greater bilateral BB tone, BF tone and stiffness, and lower BF elasticity were observed in males than in females (p < 0.05), but other viscoelastic properties were not significantly different (p < 0.05). No effect of BMI–sex interactions was found on viscoelastic properties (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The BB and BF viscoelastic properties were weakly correlated with BMI. Males showed greater muscle tone and stiffness, and lower elasticity. The overweight individuals showed increased stiffness and tone, particularly in lower extremities, and reduced elasticity in upper extremities. The effect of BMI–sex interactions on the viscoelastic properties was not clear. Higher BMI (increased mechanical load) might cause the human body to develop different muscular viscoelastic adaptations in the extremities.

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“…36 The BAI has demonstrated adequate reliability and validity when compared to other anxiety questionnaires and anxiety assessed with this measure has been shown to demonstrate a negative relationship with muscle stiffness. 36,37 Upon completion of questionnaires, participants with LBP received a subjective and neuromusculoskeletal exam to determine their appropriateness for the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physically Active Adults with Low Back Pain do not Demonstrate Altered Deadlift Mechanics: A Novel Application of Myotonometry to Estimate Inter-Muscular Load Sharing

McGowen,

Albin,

Hoppes

et al. 2024

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

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Background Rehabilitation clinicians that work with physically active populations are challenged with how to safely return patients back to performing deadlift movements following low back injury. Application of reliable and valid tests and measures to quantify impairments related to low back pain (LBP) enhances clinical decision making and may affect outcomes. Myotonometry is a non-invasive method to assess muscle stiffness which has demonstrated significant associations with physical performance and musculoskeletal injury. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the stiffness of trunk (lumbar multifidus [LM] and longissimus thoracis [LT]) and lower extremity (vastus lateralis [VL] and biceps femoris [BF]) muscles between individuals with and without LBP during the lying, standing, and deadlifting body positions. Study Design Cross-sectional cohort comparison Methods Muscle stiffness measures were collected in the VL, BF, LM, and LT muscles with participants in lying (supine and prone), standing, and the trap bar deadlift position. Separate analyses of covariance were conducted to compare absolute and relative muscle stiffness between the groups for each muscle and condition. Results Sixty-eight participants (41 female, 21.3 years, 34 LBP) volunteered for the study. Within the deadlift condition there was a significantly greater increase in the percent-muscle stiffness change in the VL (p = .029, 21.9%) and BF (p = .024, 11.2%) muscles in the control group than in the LBP group. There were no differences in percent-muscle stiffness changes for the standing condition nor were there any absolute muscle stiffness differences between the two groups for the three conditions. Conclusion No differences in muscle stiffness were identified in the lying, standing, or deadlifting conditions between participants with and without LBP. Differences in percent stiffness changes were noted between groups for the deadlift position, however the differences were modest and within measurement error. Future studies should investigate the utility of myotonometry as a method to identify LBP-related impairments that contribute to chronic and/or recurrent low back injury. Level of Evidence Level 3

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Normative Parameters of Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness and Associations with Patient Characteristics and Function

Cited by 8 publications

References 37 publications

Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness

Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness

The Relation of Body Mass Index to Muscular Viscoelastic Properties in Normal and Overweight Individuals

Physically Active Adults with Low Back Pain do not Demonstrate Altered Deadlift Mechanics: A Novel Application of Myotonometry to Estimate Inter-Muscular Load Sharing

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