Identification of EIMD Level Differences Between Long- and Short Head of Biceps Brachii Using Echo Intensity and GLCM Texture Features

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the time-course changes of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) levels in the long head of biceps brachii (LHB) and short head of the biceps brachii (SHB) using echo intensity (EI) and to determine the efficiency of the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture parameters. Methods: The participants performed 30 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor. Along with muscle damage indicators, including circumference, range of motion, muscle soreness, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), the EI and GLCM texture features of the LHB and SHB was also assessed using B-mode ultrasonography. All measurements were assessed pre- and immediately post-exercise and after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Results: The muscle damage indicators indicated significant changes after the eccentric contractions (p < 0.01 for circumference, range of motion, muscle soreness, and MVIC). The EI of LHB significantly increased following the contractions (p < 0.01), but that of SHB did not (p > 0.05). In contrast, for the GLCM texture parameters, there were significant changes in the SHB (p < 0.01 for homogeneity, energy, and entropy). Conclusion: Thus, this study demonstrated that EIMD severity is different between LHB and SHB even within the same muscle. In the GLCM features, the time course of SHB after eccentric contraction revealed different patterns compared with those of LHB. Therefore, even if there are no changes in EI within a target muscle following muscle contractions, new information on muscle quality can be obtained through GLCM analysis.