Somatosensory & motor research
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The spatial distribution of pressure sensitivity and muscle hardness was examined on normal muscle tissue and muscle tissue after induction of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The pressure sensitivity and muscle hardness were assessed at nine sites on the tibialis muscle from the proximal to distal tendon on two separate days. In total 37 healthy volunteers participated in three experiments. ⋯ In conclusion, within subjects the pressure sensitivity varies along the musculoskeletal unit. In DOMS, specific muscle belly sites were more sensitive to pressure stimulation. Muscle-tendon sites were harder compared to muscle belly sites.