Sports kinesiology: Diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of human resting muscle tone

• Main Author: Spasovski Duško
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty 2016-01-01
• Series: Medicinski Podmladak
• Subjects: human resting muscle tone; kinesiology analysis; muscle contraction; skeletal deformity; myofascial chains
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2016/0369-15271602025S.pdf

Laboratory and clinical muscle analysis has revealed that even in the absence of bioelectrical and motor activity, skeletal muscles have certain basic level of tension. This is called Human Resting Muscle Tone (HRMT). It results from viscoelasticity of connective tissue, titin action in muscle fibers and the trixotrophy of muscle tissue (nonlinear relation between muscle viscosity and shear force) and in Hill's muscle model it is represented by parallel elastic component. HRMT is a source of significant force across the musculoskeletal system, exerting an average pressure on growth cartilages larger than 0.3MPa, for more than 96,53% of time and participating in the development of orthopedic deformities. The intensity of HRMT is under the influence of many factors: emotional, constitutional, reflex activity, physical activity, skeletal growth and other. Direct measurement of HRMT by NMR, US elastography, EMG analysis, mechanomiography or myotonometry is complicated and expensive, therefore it is reserved mostly for scientific investigation. Clinical assessment of HRMT can be done by reverse engineering approach: the analysis of consequences. CoreFitMax method provides an analysis of postural data (43 static and 40 dynamic), using a discrete finite element analysis algorithm to calculate relative HRMT levels of 62 major muscles important for posture and locomotion. CoreFitMax algorithm uses myofascial, chains-based, kinesiological analysis. Results contribute to establishing an etiological diagnosis of structural and functional deformity of the human body. Restitution of adequate HRMT improves muscular balance and posture. It can be achieved by exercise, physical therapy and rehabilitation, using immobilization or medication, or even by surgical procedures. Biomechanical integration of connective tissue into myofascial chains brings HRMT into focus in therapeutic and preventive measures in everyday orthopaedic and physiatric practice.