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. 2024;32(5):3253-3262.
doi: 10.3233/THC-231947.

Effects of wearable low-intensity continuous ultrasound on muscle biomechanical properties during delayed onset muscle soreness

Sungyeon Oh  1   1 , Chang-Yong Ko  2   1 , Jaewon Lee  1 , Daekook M Nekar  1 , Hyeyoon Kang  1 , Hansung Kim  3 , Jaeho Yu  1
Affiliations

Effects of wearable low-intensity continuous ultrasound on muscle biomechanical properties during delayed onset muscle soreness

Sungyeon Oh et al. Technol Health Care. 2024.

Abstract

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal symptoms in individuals engaged in strenuous exercise programs.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of wearable low-intensity continuous ultrasound on muscle biomechanical properties during DOMS.

Methods: Twenty volunteers were distributed into a wearable ultrasound stimulation group (WUG) (n= 10) and medical ultrasound stimulation group (MUG) (n= 10). All subjects performed wrist extensor muscle strength exercises to induce DOMS. At the site of pain, ultrasound of frequency 3 MHz was applied for 1 h or 5 min in each subject of the WUG or MUG, respectively. Before and after ultrasound stimulation, muscle biomechanical properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity, stress relaxation time, and creep) and body temperature were measured, and pain was evaluated.

Results: A significant decrease was found in the tone, stiffness, stress relaxation time, and creep in both groups after ultrasound stimulation (all p< 0.05). A significant decrease in the pain and increases in temperature were observed in both groups (all p< 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in most evaluations.

Conclusion: The stiffness and pain caused by DOMS were alleviated using a wearable ultrasound stimulator. Furthermore, the effects of the wearable ultrasound stimulator were like those of a medical ultrasound stimulator.

Keywords: Wearable low-intensity continuous ultrasound; biomechanics; delayed onset muscle soreness; medical devices; muscle biomechanical properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to report.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Experimental procedure.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Measurement of muscle biomechanical properties using MyotonPro.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Stimulator components. A: Ultrasound driving board, B: Ultrasound transducer.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Ultrasound gel pad.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Intervention program. A: Low-intensity wearable ultrasound B: Chattanooga group – Intellect Transport Ultrasound.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Safety evaluation methods (a) IRIS-XP (b) BSA phantom.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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