Effects of cervicothoracic postures on the stiffness of trapezius muscles

Liang, Hongying; Yu, Suiqing; Hao, Ming; Deng, Weixin; Lin, Ming V.; Zhang, Zheng; Liu, Chunlong

doi:10.1007/s11517-022-02655-4

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In both cases, the results justification was related with differences in the use/level of activity between dominant and non-dominant side. The changes in non-dominant limb muscular stiffness were associated to the reduced variation (stationary state) in the muscular contraction, 108 and, in turn, the increased stiffness of the dominant limb was related with the higher muscular recruitment. 110 Given that movement variability seems to increase adaptability and movement control, 111 the increased MT stiffness found only in the group presenting chronic shoulder pain in the non-dominant limb, could possibly be related to a lack of different strategies to move the shoulder in the presence of pain which could require higher scapular stability and/or structures protection through more restricted motions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…However, the influence of upper limb dominance was considered in studies that included healthy subjects. These studies presented controversial results and, despite considering other scapular muscles, 94,108 significant results were only reported for UT. While two studies, that assessed stiffness with MyotonPRO or elastography, 108,109 found increased values of UT stiffness for the non-dominant limb; two other studies, using shear wave elastography, 94,110 reported higher stiffness values for the dominant limb.…”

Section: Comparison Scapular Muscles Stiffness Between Symptomatic An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies presented controversial results and, despite considering other scapular muscles, 94,108 significant results were only reported for UT. While two studies, that assessed stiffness with MyotonPRO or elastography, 108,109 found increased values of UT stiffness for the non-dominant limb; two other studies, using shear wave elastography, 94,110 reported higher stiffness values for the dominant limb. In both cases, the results justification was related with differences in the use/level of activity between dominant and nondominant side.…”

Section: Comparison Scapular Muscles Stiffness Between Symptomatic An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scapular muscle dynamic stiffness of asymptomatic subjects and subjects with chronic shoulder pain, at rest and isometric contraction conditions

Melo,

Montóia,

Cruz

et al. 2024

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

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Muscle stiffness had a crucial role in joint stability, particularly, at the shoulder complex. Although changes in upper trapezius muscle stiffness have been described for shoulder pain, contradictory findings have been obtained. Also, existing data regarding scapular muscles are, majorly, about trapezius. Myotonometry is a method used to assess stiffness; however, the reliability values of scapular muscle stiffness through this method have not been assessed in shoulder pain conditions. The present study aims to compare scapular muscles’ stiffness (trapezius, serratus anterior, and levator scapulae) between subjects with and without chronic shoulder pain and to evaluate the related test-retest reliability. Twenty-two symptomatic and twenty-two asymptomatic subjects participated in a cross-sectional study. The dynamic muscular stiffness of scapular muscles, at rest and during an isometric contraction, was measured bilaterally with myotonometry, in two moments. The differences in bilateral averaged values between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects and the effect of the group (group presenting pain in the dominant or non-dominant side, and asymptomatic group) and of the limb (unilateral painful or asymptomatic limb, and bilateral asymptomatic limbs) were investigated. Test-retest intra-rater reliability was determined. An effect of the group was observed at rest, for middle trapezius stiffness, and during contraction, for middle and lower trapezius stiffness. For middle trapezius, increased values were observed in the group presenting pain in non-dominant side comparing to both groups or to group presenting pain in dominant side. The intraclass correlation coefficient, majorly, ranged between 0.775 and 0.989. Participants with pain in the non-dominant side presented an increased middle trapezius’ stiffness. Globally, high reliability was observed for scapular muscles dynamic stiffness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Comparison Scapular Muscles Stiffness Between Symptomatic An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Comparison Scapular Muscles Stiffness Between Symptomatic An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Scapular muscle dynamic stiffness of asymptomatic subjects and subjects with chronic shoulder pain, at rest and isometric contraction conditions

Melo,

Montóia,

Cruz

et al. 2024

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Additionally, it is noteworthy that the baseline stiffness of the vastus lateralis muscle is higher on both sides, potentially contributing to the observed differences [ 29 , 30 ]. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these interpretations are preliminary, and further investigations are necessary to explore the exact mechanisms and relationships among muscle stiffness, muscle activation, and muscle fatigue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Muscle Stiffness Using the MyotonPro: Effects of Fatigue on Vastus Lateralis and Medialis Muscles

Lettner,

Graventein,

Hakam

et al. 2024

JPM

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Background: The investigation of soft tissue stiffness has garnered increasing interest due to its potential applications in detecting tissue conditions, monitoring therapy effects, and preventing sports injuries. This study utilized the MyotonPro as a reliable measurement device to assess muscle stiffness and muscle frequency in the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles of both the dominant and non-dominant legs. Methods: Sixteen young, healthy subjects (seven males and nine females, age 25 ± 3.46 years) participated in this study. To induce maximal muscle fatigue, the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles were subjected to a 30 kg load using a single-leg leg press. Pre- and post-fatigue measurements were conducted by two testers on the dominant and non-dominant legs, respectively, employing the MyotonPro. Results: We revealed a significant increase in muscle stiffness after maximal muscle fatigue. Specifically, on the dominant side, the vastus lateralis exhibited a stiffness increase of 6.5%, while the vastus medialis showed a 6.3% increase. On the non-dominant side, the vastus lateralis demonstrated a 7.6% increase, and the vastus medialis exhibited a 6.7% increase in muscle stiffness. Furthermore, muscle frequency increased by 8.6% (vastus lateralis) and 13.5% (vastus medialis) on the dominant side and by 15.1% (vastus lateralis) and 6.3% (vastus medialis) on the non-dominant side. The reliability of the measurements varied, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from inadequate 0.49 to very good 0.88. Conclusion: This study affirms the efficacy of the MyotonPro as a measurement device for assessing muscle stiffness and establishes its reliability. The observed increase in muscle stiffness after maximal muscle fatigue, accompanied by changes in muscle frequency, underscores the device’s utility. However, further research is warranted to validate the reproducibility of these findings and explore additional facets of the muscular response to fatigue.

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“…It is assumed that in the case of disturbances in the spinal parameters of the spine, this statistical difference could appear. Liang et al [ 35 ] showed a significant effect of the position of the cervico-thoracic spine on changes in the stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle. The authors noted that the increased neck flexion angle significantly increased the stiffness of the examined muscle (p <0.05).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle in a group of asymptomatic people with cervical spine rotation asymmetry

Wendt,

Waszak

2024

PLoS ONE

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This study investigated the relationship between the stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle and the range of rotational movement of the cervical spine. A total of 60 right-handed asymptomatic students participated in the study. Participants (N = 22) characterised by asymmetry in rotational movements were selected for the experimental group. A difference of ≥10° between right and left rotation of the cervical spine was considered asymmetrical. The control group (N = 38) included participants whose rotation difference was < 10°. Belonging to the experimental or control group did not significantly differentiate trapezius muscle stiffness. The rotation side differentiated the stiffness of the right and left trapezius muscles only in the group of people with rotational movement asymmetry. There were high correlation coefficients between right cervical rotation and the stiffness of the muscle on the right side, and between rotation to the left and the stiffness of the muscle on the left side. There is a relationship between the stiffness of the right and left upper trapezius muscles and the range of right and left rotational motion of the cervical spine. Stiffness of the upper trapezius correlates more strongly with rotation to the side on which the muscle lies than to the opposite side. Increased stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle on the side of limited cervical spine rotation is likely to be determined by the muscle fibre stretching mechanism.

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Effects of cervicothoracic postures on the stiffness of trapezius muscles

Cited by 8 publications

References 39 publications

Scapular muscle dynamic stiffness of asymptomatic subjects and subjects with chronic shoulder pain, at rest and isometric contraction conditions

Scapular muscle dynamic stiffness of asymptomatic subjects and subjects with chronic shoulder pain, at rest and isometric contraction conditions

Assessment of Muscle Stiffness Using the MyotonPro: Effects of Fatigue on Vastus Lateralis and Medialis Muscles

Assessment of the stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle in a group of asymptomatic people with cervical spine rotation asymmetry

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