Examining the Ability of the MyotonPRO to Assess Contraction and Fatigue of the Biceps Brachii & Tibialis Anterior Following Physical Activity to Exhaustion

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MyotonPRO device in assessing muscle contraction and fatigue in two key muscles: the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior. These muscles are critical for upper and lower limb function, and understanding how they respond to fatigue can provide valuable insights for both clinical rehabilitation and sports performance. The MyotonPRO is a portable, non-invasive tool that measures muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, but its ability to detect fatigue-induced changes in muscle properties, particularly in different muscle groups, remains underexplored. The research will involve 20 healthy students from the University of Southampton, split evenly by gender. Participants will undergo muscle-fatiguing protocols targeting the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior, with MyotonPRO measurements taken before and after the exercise to assess changes in muscle properties. The study uses a repeated-measures design, ensuring each participant serves as their own control, and will compare baseline data with post-exercise measurements to assess the MyotonPRO's sensitivity to fatigue. The primary objective is to determine if the MyotonPRO can reliably detect fatigue-induced alterations in muscle characteristics such as tone, stiffness, and elasticity in both muscles. Additionally, the study will explore the correlation between MyotonPRO measurements and subjective fatigue assessments using the Borg RPE scale, which will help validate the device's effectiveness as a fatigue assessment tool. This research is significant for advancing methods of monitoring muscle function, especially for athletes who require real-time, non-invasive tools for tracking fatigue and recovery. If validated, the MyotonPRO could become an effective alternative to more traditional techniques like electromyography (EMG) or force dynamometry, providing a practical solution for muscle monitoring in both athletic and clinical settings.