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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Myo-mechanical Analysis of Isolated Skeletal Muscle
Published on: February 22, 2011
[Feeling stiff…but what does it mean objectively? : Can you measure muscle tension?]
A V Dieterich1, A Haueise2, L Gizzi3
1Studiengang Physiotherapie, Fakultät Gesundheit, Sicherheit, Gesellschaft, Hochschule Furtwangen, Studienzentrum Freiburg, Konrad-Goldmann-Str. 7, 79100, Freiburg i.B., Deutschland. angela.dieterich@hs-furtwangen.de.
Abstract:
Almost everyone is familiar with "tense muscles", but what is muscle tension physiologically behind? Are tense muscles more active; do they have problems relaxing? Are they harder or stiffer than asymptomatic muscles? In this work, current evidence regarding the activity and stiffness of tense neck muscles is presented. Further, measurement methods and their limitations are explained. These limitations reveal the shortcomings of the current knowledge and the need for further research. Finally, a recently funded research project on the measurement of tense muscles is presented.
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