The 20th FIFA World Cup in Brazil is even closer for players taking part, that is why national teams are working on specific performance optimization. At TMG-BMC we have developed a new set of performance assessment which enables our clients (such as FIGC) to individualize each players training as well as makes adaptation to specific demands of playing in Brazil. Adaptation will have a huge impact on thefitness and might be one of the winning keys to achieving a great result.

Our Spanish distributer Iberian Sportech organized a workshop at the II International Congress on Team Sports that was held in December 2013 in Sevilla, Spain. The second congress was dedicated to the fitness preparation and rehabilitation in football, so our products fit well into the programme.You can find more information about the speakers and presentations at the website of the congress.

Achilles tendinopathy is a very common disorder many competitive and recreational athletes are confronted with at some point. The rate of Achilles tendon injuries in runners is reported to be 10 times higher than in age-matched controls. With many people taking up their New Year’s resolutions we can expect a surge in such disorders in our practices. TMG100 tensiomyography is a very efficient muscle diagnostic tool that can provide important insights to the clinician in the prevention and management of Achilles tendinopathy.

Functional biomechanical deficits among which muscle inflexibilities, weakness and imbalances cause inefficient mechanics that affect function. They are important contributors the development or continuation of Achilles tendinopathy symptoms. In addition, suboptimal functional adaptations to training lead to faulty adjustments in healthy function which leads to excessive tensile or eccentric stresses on the tendon.

In both starting recreational runners and competitive athletes, TMG100 tensiomyography can firstly be used to determine a baseline status of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. A comparison between left and right triceps surae can be made to determine bilateral symmetry, which can give a first indication of the state of biomechanics in the individual. Secondly, baseline values can be compared to TMG100’s proprietary database of reference values in order to provide healthy training or therapeutic goals. Based on this comparison specific supplemental exercises can be provided in order to reduce the risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy. Even more, TMG100 software includes a functional balance algorithm between the lateral and medial gastrocnemius heads which can be interpreted by the clinician. Large imbalances will further increase the risk of developing achillotendinopathy.

TMG100 tensiomyography offers the ability to quickly, objectively and selectively assess muscles that may contribute to the development or continuation of Achilles tendinopathy. It can even be engaged to verify and evaluate the positive effects of various therapeutic modalities, e.g. orthotics, taping techniques, that seek to decrease risk or improve symptoms. It is the ideal tool to at this point, when so many people will start taking up running, to provide baseline measures upon which guidelines can be provided for additional exercises or even choice of footwear and advice in running technique. Continuous follow up of muscle adaptation to training will allow the clinician to pick up on negative changes that may lead to the development of Achilles tendinopathy.

After a TMG100 assesment of the Al Hilal FC players in summer during their preparations in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria our team went on to extend the testing and add Speed development assessment carried out in Riad.

Our new customer, the Faculty of Medicine University of Maribor, Slovenia, will implement the TMG 100 System in their research work in the field of orthopedics and rehabilitation. Research results will add value to the use of the system in the field of medicine.

Our CEO Jure Jemec has just returned from Russia where he, besides other endeavors provided training for our distributor Eaglesports and their partners. During his visit he also made a presentation at prestigious Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism (SCOLIPE), which is the largest higher educational establishment in the sphere of physical education in Russia.

Although the weather with snow delayed one of the activities, we had another successful week of visits and customer training in the US. Demonstrations took place at Athletes Performance, Cary NC and Northeastern University, Boston MA, and the training was made for our next user in the US, Mr. Art Horne

TMG100 tensiomyography is indicated and frequently used in elite sports and rehabilitation training to determine the specific effects of different training methodologies on individual muscle contraction properties. A recent study in junior soccer players confirms the relevance and rational for using TMG100 tensiomyography in every training practice. One group of subjects followed an isometric-concentric protocol for the rectus femoris, the other a concentric protocol. Study results suggested that the isometric-concentric program group increased its recruitment of fast, fibre type II motor units, while in the concentric protocol group there is a tendency towards slower motor unit recruitment. The TMG100 findings are supported by the results of soccer specific field tests in which the isometric-concentric group scored better overall after completing the training protocol. This study supports that TMG100 tensiomyography is a very important tool in training and rehab monitoring to determine the exact effects various training strategies have on muscle function. By conducting regular TMG100 tensiomyography check-ups, training strategies can be adjusted and fine-tuned based on objective and relevant information. You can access to the complete article here.

Individual adaptation of knee stabilizers requires selective monitoring in ACL rehabilitation

Important and often overlooked aspects of ACL injuries and surgery are the effects on contraction properties and function in individual muscles that stabilize the injured knee joint. TMG100 tensiomyography research shows that the effects of ACL injury and ensuing surgery affect the knee the individual muscle heads of the knee extensors and flexors differently. It is crucial to the effectiveness, efficiency and speed of the rehabilitation process that the adaptation patterns in each part of the quadriceps and hamstrings are closely followed and understood. In this way rehabilitation can be adapted to individual changes in muscle contraction properties and function to ensure better knee stability and faster return to normal activities within strictly defined safety limits that maintain the integrity of the recovering ACL. Selective TMG100 tensiomyography monitoring after ACL surgery of function and structural atrophy in affected muscles, as well as the functional ratios between knee flexors and extensors will significantly improve the rehabilitation process.

Take a look at the interview with Scott Umberger, the owner of Umberger Performance in Pittsburgh. The last question is about TMG.