Effect of high-load and high-volume resistance exercise on the tensiomyographic twitch response of biceps brachii

The purpose of the present study was to assess the ability of TMG in detecting mechanical fatigue induced by two different resistance exercises on biceps brachii: high-volume (HV), and high-load (HL). Sixteen healthy subjects (age 25.1 ± 2.6 years; body mass 79.9 ± 8.9 kg; height 179 ± 7.4 cm) performed arm-curl in two different protocols (HV: 8 × 15 × 10 kg, HL: 5 × 3 × 30 kg). Tensiomyography was used to assess muscle response to both exercise protocols. The contractile capacity of biceps brachii significantly varied by means of the effects of potentiation and fatigue mechanisms that take place at different exercise phases. The most significant changes correspond to values of maximum radial displacement of muscle belly (Dm), sustained contraction time (Ts), relaxation time (Tr), and contraction velocity (Vc). The behavior of these parameters is, in general, similar in both exercise protocols, but they show subtle differences among them. During the first set, in both protocols, values for Vc increase, along with a decrease in Tr, Ts, and Dm values. Fatigue onset was evident from changes in such parameters, with HL being the first in showing these mechanisms. Tensiomyography has been shown to be highly sensitive in detecting fatigue-induced changes.