Innovations in the Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Health: A Glimpse
                    into the Future

Jonathan P. Beausejour; Kevan S. Knowles; Abigail T Wilson; L. Colby Mangum; Ethan C. Hill; William J. Hanney; Adam J. Wells; David H. Fukuda; JeffreyR. Stout; Matt S. Stock

doi:10.1055/a-2242-3226

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(09): 659-671
DOI: 10.1055/a-2242-3226

Review

Innovations in the Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Health: A Glimpse into the Future

Jonathan P. Beausejour

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

Kevan S. Knowles

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

Abigail T Wilson

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

L. Colby Mangum

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

Ethan C. Hill

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

William J. Hanney

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

Adam J. Wells

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

David H. Fukuda

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

JeffreyR. Stout

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

,

Matt S. Stock

¹Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in the human body and plays critical roles in athletic performance, mobility, and disease pathogenesis. Despite growing recognition of its importance by major health organizations, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding skeletal muscle health and its crosstalk with nearly every physiological system. Relevant public health challenges like pain, injury, obesity, and sarcopenia underscore the need to accurately assess skeletal muscle health and function. Feasible, non-invasive techniques that reliably evaluate metrics including muscle pain, dynamic structure, contractility, circulatory function, body composition, and emerging biomarkers are imperative to unraveling the complexities of skeletal muscle. Our concise review highlights innovative or overlooked approaches for comprehensively assessing skeletal muscle in vivo. We summarize recent advances in leveraging dynamic ultrasound imaging, muscle echogenicity, tensiomyography, blood flow restriction protocols, molecular techniques, body composition, and pain assessments to gain novel insight into muscle physiology from cellular to whole-body perspectives. Continued development of precise, non-invasive tools to investigate skeletal muscle are critical in informing impactful discoveries in exercise and rehabilitation science.

Keywords

pain - injury - rehabilitation - athlete performance - blood flow restriction - muscle quality

Full Text

References

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