REPEATABILITY OF MECHANICAL MUSCLE ACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS USING A MUSCLE CONTRACTION (MC) SENSOR: TIME-SERIES AND DISCRETE VARIABLE ANALYSIS OF THE VASTUS MEDIALIS
Keywords:
MC sensor, muscle activity, repeatability, intraclass correlation, cross-correlation
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to provide empirical evidence of the repeatability of the muscle contraction (MC) sensor signal and the associated measurement methodology based on a discrete covariate analysis. Despite the growing interest in this technology, the repeatability of MC sensor measurements across different environments and applications has not yet been systematically investigated, which is essential for establishing the reliability and practical applicability of these sensors. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive repeatability analysis of MC sensor measurements obtained from the vastus medialis muscle of the thigh. This study provides strong evidence for the repeatability of muscle contraction (MC) sensor signals and the associated thigh muscle measurement methodology. Furthermore, the results highlight the potential of MC sensor technology for real-time investigation of mechanical muscle activity, offering a promising alternative to existing measurement techniques.
References
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[23] U.R. Mikkelsen, H. Gissel, A. Fredsted, T. Clausen, Excitation-induced cell damage and β2-adrenoceptor agonist stimulated force recovery in rat skeletal muscle, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 290 (2006) 265–272. https://doi.org/10.1152/AJPREGU.00392.2005/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/ZH60020651230009.JPEG.
[24] H. V. Wilson, M.I. Johnson, P. Francis, Repeated stimulation, inter-stimulus interval and inter-electrode distance alters muscle contractile properties as measured by Tensiomyography, PLoS One 13 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0191965.
[25] B. Šimunič, Between-day reliability of a method for non-invasive estimation of muscle composition, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 22 (2012) 527–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.04.003.
[26] D. Križaj, B. Šimunič, T. Žagar, Short-term repeatability of parameters extracted from radial displacement of muscle belly, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 18 (2008) 645–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.01.008.
[27] S.K. Lynn, C.M. Watkins, M.A. Wong, K. Balfany, D.F. Feeney, Validity and Reliability of Surface Electromyography Measurements from a Wearable Athlete Performance System, J
Sports Sci Med 17 (2018) 205. /pmc/articles/PMC5950737/ (accessed March 4, 2024).
[28] W.J. Hanney, M.J. Kolber, P.A. Salamh, S. Moise, D. Hampton, A.T. Wilson, The Reliability of Tensiomyography for Assessment of Muscle Function in the Healthy Population: A Systematic Review, Strength Cond J 44 (2022) 18–35. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000699.
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[30] C. Lohr, T. Schmidt, I. Medina-Porqueres, K.M. Braumann, R. Reer, J. Porthun, Diagnostic accuracy, validity, and reliability of Tensiomyography to assess muscle function and exercise-induced fatigue in healthy participants. A systematic review with meta-analysis, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 47 (2019) 65–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JELEKIN.2019.05.005.
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[32] M. Behrens, F. Husmann, M. Gube, S. Felser, M. Weippert, S. Bruhn, V. Zschorlich, A. Mau-Moeller, Intersession reliability of the interpolated twitch technique applied during isometric, concentric, and eccentric actions of the human knee extensor muscles, Muscle Nerve 56 (2017) 324–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25498.
[33] A. Rainoldi, J.E. Bullock-Saxton, F. Cavarretta, N. Hogan, Repeatability of maximal voluntary force and of surface EMG variables during voluntary isometric contraction of quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 11 (2001) 425–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(01)00022-0.
[34] Y.M. Dutra, J.P.F. Lopes, J.M. Murias, A.M. Zagatto, Within- and between-day reliability and repeatability of neuromuscular function assessment in females and males, J Appl Physiol 135 (2023) 1372–1383. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00539.2023
[2] S.F. Del Toro, S. Santos-Cuadros, E. Olmeda, C. Álvarez-Caldas, V. Díaz, J.L. San Román, Is the Use of a Low-Cost sEMG Sensor Valid to Measure Muscle Fatigue?, Sensors 2019, Vol. 19, Page 3204 19 (2019) 3204. https://doi.org/10.3390/S19143204.
[3] M.O. Ibitoye, N.A. Hamzaid, J.M. Zuniga, A.K. Abdul Wahab, Mechanomyography and muscle function assessment: A review of current state and prospects, Clinical Biomechanics 29 (2014) 691–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.04.003.
[4] T.W. Beck, T.J. Housh, J.T. Cramer, J.P. Weir, G.O. Johnson, J.W. Coburn, M.H. Malek, M. Mielke, Mechnomyographic amplitude and frequency responses during dynamic muscle actions: A comprehensive review, Biomed Eng Online 4 (2005) 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-925X-4-67/FIGURES/6.
[5] S. Martín-Rodríguez, I. Loturco, A.M. Hunter, D. Rodríguez-Ruiz, D. Munguia-Izquierdo, Reliability and Measurement Error of Tensiomyography to Assess Mechanical Muscle Function: A Systematic Review, J Strength Cond Res 31 (2017) 3524–3536. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002250.
[6] S. Krašna, S. Đorđević, M. Hribernik, A. Trajkovski, A Novel Approach to Measuring Muscle Mechanics in Vehicle Collision Conditions, Sensors (Basel) 17 (2017). https://doi.org/10.3390/S17061389.
[7] S. Đorđević, S. Tomažič, M. Narici, R. Pišot, A. Meglič, In-vivo measurement of muscle tension: dynamic properties of the MC sensor during isometric muscle contraction, Sensors (Basel) 14 (2014) 17848–17863. https://doi.org/10.3390/S140917848.
[8] S. Krašna, S. Ðorđević, Estimating the Effects of Awareness on Neck-Muscle Loading in Frontal Impacts with EMG and MC Sensors, Sensors (Basel) 20 (2020) 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/S20143942.
[9] A. Meglič, M. Uršič, A. Škorjanc, S. Đorđević, G. Belušič, The Piezo-resistive MC Sensor is a Fast and Accurate Sensor for the Measurement of Mechanical Muscle Activity, Sensors (Basel) 19 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/S19092108.
[10] S. Dordević, S. Stančin, A. Meglič, V. Milutinović, S. Tomažič, MC sensor-a novel method for measurement of muscle tension, Sensors 11 (2011) 9411–9425. https://doi.org/10.3390/s111009411.
[11] R. Dahmane, S. Djordjevič, B. Šimunič, V. Valenčič, Spatial fiber type distribution in normal human muscle: Histochemical and tensiomyographical evaluation, J Biomech 38 (2005) 2451–2459. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBIOMECH.2004.10.020.
[12] J.V.. Basmajian, C.J.. De Luca, Muscles alive : their functions revealed by electromyography, (1985). https://search.worldcat.org/title/805568666 (accessed September 10, 2024).
[13] S. Martín-Rodríguez, I. Loturco, A.M. Hunter, D. Rodríguez-Ruiz, D. Munguia-Izquierdo, Reliability and Measurement Error of Tensiomyography to Assess Mechanical Muscle Function: A Systematic Review, J Strength Cond Res 31 (2017) 3524–3536. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002250.
[14] T.W. Beck, T.J. Housh, J.T. Cramer, J.P. Weir, G.O. Johnson, J.W. Coburn, M.H. Malek, M. Mielke, Mechnomyographic amplitude and frequency responses during dynamic muscle actions: A comprehensive review, Biomed Eng Online 4 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-925X-4-67.
[15] M.O. Ibitoye, N.A. Hamzaid, J.M. Zuniga, A.K. Abdul Wahab, Mechanomyography and muscle function assessment: a review of current state and prospects, Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 29 (2014) 691–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CLINBIOMECH.2014.04.003.
[16] S.K. Lynn, C.M. Watkins, M.A. Wong, K. Balfany, D.F. Feeney, Validity and Reliability of Surface Electromyography Measurements from a Wearable Athlete Performance System, J Sports Sci Med 17 (2018) 205. /pmc/articles/PMC5950737/ (accessed September 10, 2024).
[17] M. Kušar, M. Djokić, S. Djordjević, M. Hribernik, S. Krašna, B. Trotovšek, Preliminary study of reliability of transcutaneous sensors in measuring intraabdominal pressure, Sci Rep 12 (2022) 8268. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12388-x.
[18] S. Park, Theory and usage of tensiomyography and the analysis method for the patient with low back pain, J Exerc Rehabil 16 (2020) 325. https://doi.org/10.12965/JER.2040420.210.
[19] L.D. Rusu, G.G. Cosma, S.M. Cernaianu, M.N. Marin, P.F.A. Rusu, D.P. Ciocǎnescu, F.N. Neferu, Tensiomyography method used for neuromuscular assessment of muscle training, J Neuroeng Rehabil 10 (2013) 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-10-67/FIGURES/9.
[20] J. Tous-Fajardo, G. Moras, S. Rodríguez-Jiménez, R. Usach, D.M. Doutres, N.A. Maffiuletti, Inter-rater reliability of muscle contractile property measurements using non-invasive tensiomyography, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 20 (2010) 761–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JELEKIN.2010.02.008.
[21] L. Li, G.E. Caldwell, Coefficient of cross correlation and the time domain correspondence, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 9 (1999) 385–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(99)00012-7.
[22] R. Vallat, Pingouin: statistics in Python, J Open Source Softw 3 (2018) 1026. https://doi.org/10.21105/JOSS.01026.
[23] U.R. Mikkelsen, H. Gissel, A. Fredsted, T. Clausen, Excitation-induced cell damage and β2-adrenoceptor agonist stimulated force recovery in rat skeletal muscle, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 290 (2006) 265–272. https://doi.org/10.1152/AJPREGU.00392.2005/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/ZH60020651230009.JPEG.
[24] H. V. Wilson, M.I. Johnson, P. Francis, Repeated stimulation, inter-stimulus interval and inter-electrode distance alters muscle contractile properties as measured by Tensiomyography, PLoS One 13 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0191965.
[25] B. Šimunič, Between-day reliability of a method for non-invasive estimation of muscle composition, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 22 (2012) 527–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.04.003.
[26] D. Križaj, B. Šimunič, T. Žagar, Short-term repeatability of parameters extracted from radial displacement of muscle belly, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 18 (2008) 645–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.01.008.
[27] S.K. Lynn, C.M. Watkins, M.A. Wong, K. Balfany, D.F. Feeney, Validity and Reliability of Surface Electromyography Measurements from a Wearable Athlete Performance System, J
Sports Sci Med 17 (2018) 205. /pmc/articles/PMC5950737/ (accessed March 4, 2024).
[28] W.J. Hanney, M.J. Kolber, P.A. Salamh, S. Moise, D. Hampton, A.T. Wilson, The Reliability of Tensiomyography for Assessment of Muscle Function in the Healthy Population: A Systematic Review, Strength Cond J 44 (2022) 18–35. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000699.
[29] C. Lohr, K.-M. Braumann, R. Reer, J. Schroeder, T. Schmidt, Reliability of tensiomyography and myotonometry in detecting mechanical and contractile characteristics of the lumbar erector spinae in healthy volunteers, Eur J Appl Physiol 118 (2018) 1349–1359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3867-2.
[30] C. Lohr, T. Schmidt, I. Medina-Porqueres, K.M. Braumann, R. Reer, J. Porthun, Diagnostic accuracy, validity, and reliability of Tensiomyography to assess muscle function and exercise-induced fatigue in healthy participants. A systematic review with meta-analysis, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 47 (2019) 65–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JELEKIN.2019.05.005.
[31] R.Á. de Paula Simola, N. Harms, C. Raeder, M. Kellmann, T. Meyer, M. Pfeiffer, A. Ferrauti, Tensiomyography reliability and prediction of changes in muscle force following heavy eccentric strength exercise using muscle mechanical properties, Sports Technology 8 (2015) 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/19346182.2015.1117475.
[32] M. Behrens, F. Husmann, M. Gube, S. Felser, M. Weippert, S. Bruhn, V. Zschorlich, A. Mau-Moeller, Intersession reliability of the interpolated twitch technique applied during isometric, concentric, and eccentric actions of the human knee extensor muscles, Muscle Nerve 56 (2017) 324–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25498.
[33] A. Rainoldi, J.E. Bullock-Saxton, F. Cavarretta, N. Hogan, Repeatability of maximal voluntary force and of surface EMG variables during voluntary isometric contraction of quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 11 (2001) 425–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(01)00022-0.
[34] Y.M. Dutra, J.P.F. Lopes, J.M. Murias, A.M. Zagatto, Within- and between-day reliability and repeatability of neuromuscular function assessment in females and males, J Appl Physiol 135 (2023) 1372–1383. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00539.2023
Published
2026-04-09
How to Cite
1.
Merčun A, Drobnič M, Mastnak E, Žumer J, Đorđević S. REPEATABILITY OF MECHANICAL MUSCLE ACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS USING A MUSCLE CONTRACTION (MC) SENSOR: TIME-SERIES AND DISCRETE VARIABLE ANALYSIS OF THE VASTUS MEDIALIS. MatTech [Internet]. 2026Apr.9 [cited 2026Jul.16];60(2):229–233. Available from: https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1592
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