Friend or Foe…Muscle Oscillation
Muscle oscillation refers to the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers, which can create a variety of physiological effects. This phenomenon is often observed in skeletal muscles during activities such as exercise, where muscles contract and relax repeatedly to produce movement.
There are several key aspects of muscle oscillation:
Mechanism: Muscle oscillation occurs through the activation of motor units, which consist of motor neurons and the muscle fibers they innervate. When a muscle is stimulated by the nervous system, the fibers contract, leading to the oscillatory patterns depending on the frequency and strength of the neural signals.
Implications for Performance: Understanding muscle oscillation can provide insights into athletic performance and rehabilitation. Enhanced muscle oscillation can improve reaction times and strength, while impaired oscillation may contribute to fatigue and decreased coordination.
Measurement: Muscle oscillation can be measured using various techniques, including electromyography (EMG), which assesses electrical activity in muscles, and motion capture systems that monitor physical movement.
Training and Adaptation: Training can influence muscle oscillation patterns. Strength and conditioning programs may target specific muscle groups to improve their oscillatory behavior, thus enhancing overall movement efficiency and performance.
Impact on Injury: Altered muscle oscillation patterns can be indicative of injury or muscular imbalances. Rehabilitation programs might focus on restoring normal oscillation to facilitate recovery and prevent future injuries.
In my experience muscle oscillation plays a crucial role in athletic performance.
In athlete development I might use flexible poles to force muscle activation with the vibration of the pole in motion. Often ‘blades’ are used to activate and strengthen the shoulder or vibration plates are used to ‘unlock’ muscle tension via oscillation.
Several research groups have identified the negative elements. [Craig-Jones, A; Sertic, J; Shimana, B; Navalta, FACSM, JW; and Mercer, FACSM, JA (2022) "DO COMPRESSION PANTS INFLUENCE MUSCLE OSCILLATION, MUSCLE ACTIVATION TIME, AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION DURING RUNNING?," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 199]
My focus is on the negative element of muscle oscillation during activity. The muscle damage is real and oscillation or vibration of the tissue is part of the problem. I look for compression garments to reduce the vibration and channel the oscillation to a lower frequency; thereby, reducing micro trauma. Once micro trauma is reduced the fatigue and muscle recovery window is smaller which is a huge plus in sports.
SKINS compression garments have research validated construct to reduce muscle oscillation.
Distribution of oscillation of the muscles is a positive.
My experience in managing daily training and recovery for athletes is that Skins compression garments provide a superior decrease in perceived fatigue as well as physical readiness to perform.
Muscle oscillation is a friend in building strength and elements of prorpriocption and balance in intentional training. Oscillation is indeed a foe to muscle care, micro trauma and chemical pooling.
Be Well
RV Reiff
