Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review

Saša Maučec; žiga Kozinc

doi:10.54141/psbd.1702932

Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review

Abstract

This review explores the use of shear wave elastography (SWE) to assess muscle shear modulus during neuromuscular fatigue. Fatigue generally leads to a decrease in muscle stiffness, as measured by SWE, though responses vary across different muscles and fatigue protocols. Quadriceps muscles consistently show decreased stiffness post-fatigue, while hamstrings, plantar flexors, and trunk muscles exhibit more variable responses. These findings suggest that SWE could be a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring muscle condition and recovery, with potential applications in optimizing training programs and preventing overuse injuries. However, the variability in findings indicates a need for further research to standardize SWE protocols and clarify the mechanisms underlying changes in muscle stiffness during fatigue. Understanding these mechanisms could enhance the application of SWE in both clinical and sports settings. This review also underscores the importance of accounting for fatigue as a confounding factor in studies of muscle stiffness measurements and highlights future research directions to expand the utility of SWE in assessing neuromuscular function.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency

Project Number

P5-0443

Ethical Statement

N/A (Review paper)

Thanks

None.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Medicine, Kinantropometri, Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Saša Maučec
0009-0002-7481-7438
Slovenia

žiga Kozinc ^*
0000-0003-3555-8680
Slovenia

Early Pub Date

March 18, 2026

Publication Date

March 18, 2026

Submission Date

May 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1702932

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA58PR97JZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Maučec, S., & Kozinc, žiga. (2026). Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 17(1), 293-315. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1702932

AMA

1.Maučec S, Kozinc žiga. Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026;17(1):293-315. doi:10.54141/psbd.1702932

Chicago

Maučec, Saša, and žiga Kozinc. 2026. “Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17 (1): 293-315. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1702932.

EndNote

Maučec S, Kozinc žiga (April 1, 2026) Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17 1 293–315.

IEEE

[1]S. Maučec and žiga Kozinc, “Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review”, Pamukkale J Sport Sci, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 293–315, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.54141/psbd.1702932.

ISNAD

Maučec, Saša - Kozinc, žiga. “Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences 17/1 (April 1, 2026): 293-315. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1702932.

JAMA

1.Maučec S, Kozinc žiga. Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026;17:293–315.

MLA

Maučec, Saša, and žiga Kozinc. “Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 293-15, doi:10.54141/psbd.1702932.

Vancouver

1.Saša Maučec, žiga Kozinc. Assessing Muscle Shear Modulus With Shear-Wave Elastography During Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Review. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026 Apr. 1;17(1):293-315. doi:10.54141/psbd.1702932