MECHANOMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF EXERCISE HYPERTROPHY - THE EFFECT ON MUSCLE CONTRACTILE PROPERTIES

Abstract

This study investigated mechanomyographic (MMG) derived muscle changes during biceps brachii hypertrophy. Healthy participants (age: 23.73+- 2.67, n=19) performed unilateral biceps curls for 8 weeks (nondominant limb; treatment, dominant limb; control). Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between treatment and control limbs with treatment MVC initially declining (weeks 1 -3), due to fatigue (decline in MPF), followed by improvement above baseline (weeks 6-8). Treatment muscle girth was greater than control (weeks 5-8), Whilst MMG variables Dmax (maximal muscle displacement) (weeks 2, 7) and Vc (contraction velocity) (weeks 7, 8) declined. During de-loading, MVC and muscle girth (weeks 9, 10) remained higher, whilst Dmax and Vc both remained lower (week 9). MMG contractile property changes due to exercise induced hypertrophy suggest MMG has applicability as a diagnostic tool in rehabilitation.