Comparison of the methods for detecting lower limb asymmetries: isokinetic dynamometry vs. tensiomyography derived indices

Introduction The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between asymmetry indices derived from isokinetic dynamometry (ID) and tensiomyography (TMG). Methods Adult males and females ( N = 158, Age = 23.7 ± 3.18 years) were recruited from three cohorts: physically inactive, physically active non-athletes, and professional athletes. Both ID (60°/s −60 and 180°/s −180) and TMG were applied to the knee joint extensor (Q) and flexor (H) muscles of the right (R) and left leg (L), after which functional (FS) and lateral asymmetry (LS) indices were calculated. Results and Discussion Pearson correlation revealed no significant correlations between ID and TMG in FS. For LS, significantly small-to-moderate negative correlations were found between LS H180, LS of the Semitendinosus muscle and LS Havg in males (r = −0.337, p = 0.002; r = −0.322, p = 0.003, respectively). The present findings indicate that ID and TMG measure different dimensions of muscle asymmetry and therefore should not be considered interchangeable. While TMG provides valuable information on peripheral contractile properties, it does not appear to replicate the joint-level asymmetry outcomes obtained with ID, and thus may not serve as a direct substitute for isokinetic assessment when evaluating lower-limb muscle asymmetries.