Scientists have developed a low-cost and non-invasive method of measuring the severity of muscle injuries in footballers, an advance that will help the players return to action faster. Researchers from Polytechnic University of Catalunya in Spain developed the new technique, called localised bioimpedance measurement (L-BIA). It is often difficult to get a clear idea of when athletes would be fit again because the 'muscle gap' – or muscle damage - cannot easily be measured by current methods, researchers said.
The technique works by sending a low intensity alternating current through healthy muscle tissue and then comparing that with readings from injured tissue. Passing a current through the affected muscles gives a clearer picture of soft tissue damage than ultrasound or MRI scans, researchers said.
The team looked at about 22 muscle injuries in 18 Futbol Club Barcelona players over five years, 'BBC News' reported. They took measurements soon after the footballers' injuries occurred and then again when they returned to the fray, and they also compared them with healthy muscles.
Researchers were able to separate the injuries into two distinct groups, work out the seriousness of the injury and then the players' likely recovery time. "It can support the image from ultrasound or MRI to help quantify the disrupted soft tissue structure in injured muscles," said Javier Yanguas, lead doctor at FC Barcelona. The study was published in the journal Physiological Measurement.
