Publications

• Based on the previously discussed findings, it is recommended, whenever possible, to regularly monitor athletes’ fatigue and recovery status through different methods, one of which is measuring stiffness with the MyotonPRO device and creating a personal profile for each player to observe how their muscle contractile properties vary and fluctuate.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in muscle contractile properties during a training microcycle in semi-professional female football players and explore their relationship with training load variables.

Nineteen players (age: 23.9 ± 3.9 years; body mass: 60.6 ± 6.9 kg; height: 164.5 ± 6.7 cm) underwent myotonometric assessments of the biceps femoris (BF) and rectus femoris (RF) before and after the following training sessions: MD1 (i.e., 1 day after the match), MD3, MD4, and MD5.

Training loads were quantified for each session, revealing significant variations, with MD4 exhibiting the highest values for high-speed running distance, number of sprints, and accelerations. Notably, MD3 showed the highest perceived exertion (RPE), while MD5 recorded the lowest total distance run. Myotonometric assessments indicated significant differences in stiffness of the RF in MD3 and BF in MD5, as well as RF tone in MD5.

The findings underscore a notable relationship between training load and myotometric variables, particularly in muscle stiffness and tone. These results emphasize the need for further research to clarify how training loads affect muscle properties in female athletes.

Keywords: MyotonPRO, football, stiffness, elasticity, muscle tone

This study showed significant differences in training load variables between the different sessions, with MD4 showing the highest values for HSRD, number of sprints, and accelerations, while MD3 showed the highest values for RPE. In addition, significant pre- to post-training changes in stiffness were observed for RF in MD5 and BF in MD3, as well as for RF tone in MD5. Myotonometric variables also differed significantly between training sessions during the microcycle, highlighting the relationship between training load and these variables. Consequently, strength and conditioning coaches could monitor these variables as an indicator of players’ neuromuscular status, allowing them to adjust training across microcycles to prevent excessive fatigue and reduce the risk of non-contact injuries. However, further research is necessary to better understand how training load impacts these variables and to explore the role of gender.