Myotonometric Evaluation of Latent Myofascial Trigger Points and Taut Band in Elite Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: Our aim was to identify the mechanical properties of the latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), the taut band and the non-taut band (surrounding muscle) within the gastrocnemius muscle using the myotonometric evaluation method. Methods: Thirty-one asymptomatic elite rugby players (23.0±4.16 y, 97.5±22.1 kg, 183.5±7.6 cm) with a latent MTrP in lateral gastrocnemius muscle included in this study. Muscle stiffness, decrement and muscle tone of latent MTrPs, taut band and the non-taut band were measured using a myotonometer (MyotonPRO, Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). One-way ANOVA was conducted to determine the differences between the three measurement points. After pairwise comparisons, Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated to determine the magnitude of differences between the measurement points. Results: Although the stiffness of the MTrPs was lower than its taut band, one-way ANOVA revealed that there was no difference between the MTrPs vs the taut band and the non-taut band for frequency, stiffness and decrement parameters (p>0.05). However, there is a difference between the taut band non-taut band for muscle tone (P= 0.016), for stiffness (P=0.035) and for decrement (P=0.012) and effect sizes are as d=0.64, d=0.69 and d=0.62 for stiffness, muscle tone and decrement respectively. Conclusion: The MTrPs and the taut bands showed an increase in muscle stiffness and muscle tone compared to the surrounding muscle. The taut band could be easily identified from the surrounding muscle using the myotonometer. Therefore, myotonometric measurement is a potentially valuable method for the identification of the taut band in elite athletes.