Changes in mechanical properties of skeletal muscles under the influence of exercise load
The aim of this research was to examine the influence of exercise stress (ES) on the mechanical properties of muscles. Thirty-four male football players, students of Lesgaft University participated in the current study. Mechanical properties (elasticity and viscosity) of the vastus lateralis (VL) in a relaxed and stress state before and after the ES were registered by a computer-assisted experimental tool - Vibratory Viskoelastometr (VVEM-05). ES consisted of 35 jump up in a place with the task to "Perform a jump as high as possible at a comfortable pace". The duration of the ES was 38.8±1.5 s. RESULTS: It is shown that elasticity of the vastus lateralis (VL) is significantly increased after ES (p≤0.05) both in a relaxed and stress condition. The viscosity of the muscle was significantly increased only in the stressed state (p≤0.05). The changes in a viscosity of relaxed muscles are insignificant (p>0.05). Based on the data survey, it was suggested that the difference in viscosity might have been caused by a difference in athlete's muscle fiber composition.