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Relationship between lower limb passive muscle stiffness and running performance, assessed using MyotonPRO: a cross-sectional study

De Corte, Cyril ; Guillaume, Brien
(2020)

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DeCorte_Cyril_41731600Guillaume_Brien_24921500_2019-2020.pdf
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Details

Supervisors
Nguyen, Anh Phong
Faculty
Faculté des sciences de la motricité
Degree label
Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation
Abstract
Background: One of the most popular physical activities in the world is running. However, little is known about how physical activity, and thus running, could influence muscle tone, elasticity or stiffness. The aim of this study was to assess the lower limb muscles and tendons PMS properties and investigate how the muscle viscoelasticity varies between pre-run and post-run assessments and its relationship to performance. Method: Fourthy-seven long-distance runners participated in organized races of at least 40 minutes. In order to determine the passive muscle stiffness characteristics, we used the MyotonPro device (Myoton AS, Estonia). Results: Rectus femoris tendon indicated significant decrease in frequency value. Tibialis anterior muscle indicated significant decrease in frequency and transverse stiffness values as well as significant increase in creep value. Peroneal muscles indicated significant decrease in frequency and transverse stiffness values as well as significant increase in creep and relaxation time. Lateral gastrocnemius indicated significant decrease in decrement value. Only the tibialis anterior and the peroneal muscles showed significant changes associated with superior running performance in long-distance. Conclusion: Our study found, using MyotonPRO, that rectus femoris tendon, tibialis anterior muscle, peroneal muscles, and lateral gastrocnemius showed significant modifications in their PMS characteristics after a long-distance run but that only tibialis anterior and peroneus muscles PMS modifications were associated with running performance in long-distance. Our study also found, that running performance in long-distance was associated with a decreased transverse stiffness, a decreased frequency in both tibialis anterior and peroneal muscles, as well as an increased creep in tibialis anterior.