Publications
Acute effects of core fatigue on thoracolumbar fascia mechanical and viscoelastic properties in healthy young adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hatice Karabulut 1, Fatmagul Varol 2
Affiliations:
- Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane, Ankara, Turkey
Journal: European Journal of Applied Physiology - August 2026 (DOI: 10.1007/s00421-026-06344-0)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Fatigue / Overtraining
- Myofascia
- Musculoskeletal health
Purpose: This study investigated how acute fatigue of the rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles affects the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF).
Methods: 45 healthy young men (18–30 years) participated. Two separate fatigue protocols were applied for RA and ES muscles. Fascia’s stiffness, creep, and relaxation time were assessed before and after each protocol using the MyotonPRO™ device. The changes in fascial properties following RA fatigue were compared with those following ES fatigue.
Results: No significant changes were observed in any fascial parameter after RA fatigue. In contrast, ES fatigue resulted in significant decreases in stiffness and significant increases in creep and relaxation time (p < 0.05). Following ES fatigue, TLF stiffness decreased by 24.40 ± 37.25, while creep and relaxation time increased by 0.08 ± 0.19 and 1.75 ± 3.62, respectively. Post-fatigue comparisons revealed greater increases in creep (p = 0.01) and relaxation time (p = 0.02) in the ES group compared to the RA group.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the different acute effects of RA and ES fatigue on the TLF and suggest that muscle-specific loading influences fascial responses. Clarifying these dynamics may enhance the application of fascial-targeted strategies not only for symptom management but also for preserving tissue health and optimizing physical performance.
Clinical trial registration: This study has been registered in Clinical Trials under the number NCT06432062.
Figure 4. Measurement of biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of thoracolumbar fascia with MyotonPRO™ A Positioning of the MyotonPRO device over the marked measurement points on the thoracolumbar fascia, B Application of the device during measurement, demonstrating probe contact and data acquisition at the same anatomical location
Keywords: biomechanics, core muscle fatigue, thoracolumbar fascia, MyotonPRO
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that acute muscle fatigue has a muscle-specific effect on the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the TLF, with significant changes occurring only when the fatigued muscle share a direct myofascial connection. These findings suggest that the TLF plays a dynamic role in load transfer within specific myofascial chains, which should be considered in clinical assessments and exercise prescription for both health and performance.