I. Abstract
TMG (Tensiomyography) and its applicable value
Tensiomyography is a simple and non-invasive method for measuring muscle properties (contraction
speed, and consequently, percentage of fast and slow muscle fibres) and their functional
profile/response and adaptation (chronic and acute fatigue and the extent of muscle tissue damage
after injury).
1. BASIC MEASUREMENT
PURPOSE: Basic measurement determinate muscles fibre types; detect muscle imbalance and old
unhealed injuries. When comparing parameters of different muscles, we defer two types of symmetry:
lateral and functional. Muscle pairs which have the symmetry between the contraction parameters at
least 80% or higher, count for balanced. Under the limit of 80 % we talk about imbalanced muscles,
which should be treated with special complex of exercises for strength and activation.
GOAL: Test enables us early disclosure and prevention of asymmetries, which could develop in serious
injuries. The goal of this measurement is to diminish or totally reduce muscle imbalance.
medialis, vastus lateralis in rectus femoris), achilles tendon (we check the ratio between contractile
parameters of gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis).
1.2. Lateral symmetry:
Beside the functional symmetry, lateral symmetry (the symmetry between left and right side of the body)
is also very important.
This symmetry is especially important at lower back muscles (erector spinae), where asymmetry can
influence muscles and joints of lower extremities. We also found out that the back muscles follow
asymmetric movement and adapt to it very quickly.
From our experiences we can affirm that most of the examples of lower back pain origins from erector
spinae lateral asymmetry. Pathologic changes in muscles usually demonstrate in higher muscle tonus,
which causes change in activation level of one or both sides of erector spinae. TMG is the only known
method, which enables us separate measurement of left and right side of erector spinae. All other known
methods can measure just the ration between back muscles and abdominal muscles.
What can cause asymmetry?
Asymmetry can be caused by past injuries, improper training or nature of the sports (where one side of the
body is constantly more active: golf, tennis). With 31 million active recreational golf players in USA, we
can see magnitude of the problem, if we just focus on one of todays popular recreational activity. What is
even more interesting is the fact, that high percentage of asymmetry at average population origins from
their working place conditions or from improper body posture.
Asymmetry in every day life
Graf shows huge lateral asymmetry of erector spinae measured at professional sports photographer. He
travels a lot and he always carries heavy bag with photo equipment on his right shoulder. The erector
spinae on left side becomes more endurance and slower, because of compensation of heavy load. In long
period of time this asymmetry becomes significant and can develop in chronic lower back pain.
Fig 4: With measurements we determine the percentage of asymmetry and proceed this information to the
personal trainer. With special complex of exercises we can diminish or totally reduce lateral asymmetry.
Functional and lateral symmetry of antagonistic muscles and symmetry of synergistic muscles
Lateral asymmetry in the knee 4 days after the operation (operation of crucial ligaments took place
on right knee joint):
6
5
4
mm
2
1
0
-1
0
100
200
300
time / ms
400
500
2.5
2
1.5
mm
1
0.5
0
-0.5
0
100
200
300
time / ms
4.5
400
500
4
3.5
3
2.5
mm
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
0
100
200
300
time / ms
400
500
Conclusion: In the rehabilitation process main stress has to be directed towards Vastus medialis muscle.
To monitor the improvement the measurements should take place every second day.
MRI
12
12
11
11
10
10
Fig 9: TMG as a complementary diagnostics method. In this case TMG upgrades the MRI diagnosis
The professional sportsman had constant problems with inability of producing the same force on both
biceps femoris muscles. MRI showed there was something wrong in the region of L5 S1 vertebra. With
measurement of back hamstring on 12 different points (both legs) we could see which part of the back
hamstring muscle is non-functional (on 3D graph we can see that on whole region of points {8-9-10-11}
the activation is much lower than on healthy region: 1 - 7). From the TMG measurement we could
conclude that distal lateral side of biceps femoris has lower activation level and with this information
we could exactly determine that vertebra nerve is affected in L5 S1 region.
On 3D graphs we can see initial measurement taken on 17th of July and second measurement taken after
first phase of therapy, on 4th of September same year. We can see the improvement of affected region (the
level of points from 8 to 11 is a little bit higher).
This case is example of complementary use of TMG with other modern diagnostic methods.
2.4. Use of TMG in monitoring of rehabilitation process after muscle injury (rupture)
The best condition for the quality monitoring of rehabilitation process is that we have muscle status
before the injury occurred. If we do not have muscle status of the muscle before injury we can still use
other, healthy leg, for comparison. Time tracking shows the reanimation of the muscle and its
improvement in activation and structure of activation.
3.5
3
2.5
mm
Tc=22ms
before injury (black curve)
5 days after
injury
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
0
2 days after
injury
100
200
300
time / ms
400
500
Fig 10: Twelve days after the injury, muscle has the same contractile properties as before the injury. At this point is
totally safe for the athlete to start with normal training again.
III.
TMG references
Our R&D department is on Electrical Faculty in Ljubljana (University of Ljubljana) in Laboratory for
biomedical imaging and muscles biomechanics. We cooperate with many worlds famous research
laboratories.
Results obtained by TMG method were published in more than sixty original
scientific papers and conference proceedings.
Some sport clubs and training facilities that use TMG technology:
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Spanish football association (ESP)
FC Fiorentina (ITA)
FC Almeria (ESP)
FC Villarreal (ESP)
FC Atalanta (ITA)
FC Racing Santander (ESP)
FC Dinamo Kijev (UA)
FC Livorno Calcio (ITA)
FC Bari Calcio (ITA)
VF Sport Sevilla (ESP)
FC Kelag Karnten (AUT)
Athletic federation of Slovenia
FC Interblock (SLO)
FC Publikum (SLO)
UK Sport institute (UK)
SIS Scottish Institute of Sport (UK)
Austrian Olympic centre
Norwegian Sport Federation
Olympic committee of Slovenia
Football federation of Slovenia
Hockey federation of Slovenia
IV.
FC BARCELONA
We use the Tensiomyography (TMG) in the medical department of FC Barcelona for about three years
now and we believe that this technique is very useful in the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the
muscles during training. We use TMG in the recovery process of muscle injuries where it helps us to
make right decisions on the performance improvement in the regeneration process after muscle injury.
These measurements taken during the healing process of muscle injuries help us to bring injured muscles
in the normal state as fast as possible.
Dr. Jordi Ardvol i Cuesta
Head of the medical department of the FCB
GIANPIERO VENTRONE (Former first team fitness coach: FC Juventus, FC Livorno, FC Bari)
The Tmg is a valuable tool. We have used it to make microscopic
assesment, but it can be also valid for macroscopic measurements. We
had good results and will certainly continue to use it in the future.
FC Fiorentina is the first coustomer where we are also involved in injury preventions. We developed special
services and also new sensors in order to gain all neccesery information.
TMG method and brand name is patent pending and is the property of:
TMG-BMC d.o.o.
Tbilisijska 59
1000 Ljubljana
SLOVENIJA
http:// www.tmg.si
e-mail: info@tmg.si