O m n i A t h l e t e

Myoton system quantifies mechanical properties of muscles by measuring muscle tone, muscle rigidity (stiffness) and muscle elasticity:

• Tone - Oscillation Frequency (Hz) is the mechanical tension in a relaxed muscle which characterises the Tone (intrinsic tension on the cellular level). It describes the restoration conditions of the muscle between efforts. A tone higher than normal disturbs the muscle's blood supply conditions, as the blood vessels of the muscle are more contracted and less blood reaches the muscle. Increased tone is relatable to pain, atlethic underachievement, overload, muscle fatigue and poor recovery. Low tone may indicate weak muscles.

• Stiffness -  Dynamic Stiffness (N/m) is a muscle's ability to resist a force deforming the muscle. In terms of athletic performance, it is related to the resistance of the antagonist muscles during movement. Stiffer muscles require greater effort to stretch the antagonist muscle; this leads to worse economy of movement. Asymmetry of stiffness between body sides can disturb the rhythm of the movements.

• Elasticity - Is a muscle's ability to restore its initial shape. It describes the condition of the muscle's blood supply during the effort and the ability to increase the speed of the movement. The blood supply of a skeletal muscle during effort can only be effective if the muscle restores its shape relatively quickly during the interval between two contractions. In other words - the muscle must have good elasticity (a muscle’s elasticity is by definition the ability to restore its shape). Decreased elasticity brings on quicker muscle fatigue and the speed of a movement is limited if the muscle is less elastic.