Development of a multi-point mapping protocol for myotonometric assessment: a methodological pilot study.

The assessment of biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of superficial tissues using myotonometry has gained prominence in clinical and research settings due to its ease of use and ability to provide objective measurements. However, there is a tendency to assess only a single point without considering anatomical or functional variations, and its representativeness for broad regions, such as the lower limbs, remains uncertain. Consequently, we aimed to develop a standardized multi-point protocol for evaluating biomechanical and viscoelastic properties in the lower limbs using myotonometry, test its feasibility and discriminative capacity, and present preliminary exploratory findings. A multi-point myotonometric assessment protocol was developed, where thirty-eight assessment points were identified and described for evaluating the anterior, lateral, posterior, and inferior compartments of the lower limbs. The protocol was applied to both limbs of 13 healthy adult males (age: 32.15 ± 6.50 years). Values were described using mean and standard deviation, and comparisons between consecutive points were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Effect sizes were calculated as r = Z/√N. IBM