Xijian Technology Helps Beijing Sport University Team Debut at the European Sports Science Conference (ECSS)

Published on： 2026-07-17 15:11

The quantitative detection technology of skeletal muscle mechanics has stepped onto the international stage of sports science

Recently, the event was held in Lausanne, SwitzerlandThe 31st European Congress of Sports Science（European College of Sport Science，ECSS）The research abstract of Professor Cui Yixiong's team from Beijing Sport University has been selected after evaluationBiomechanics / Morphological and Mechanical Properties of the MTUSub forum. Yang Wenpu, a doctoral student from the team, gave an oral report at the conference（Oral Presentation），Surrounding the 'functional stiffness spectrum' of the Achilles tendon（Functional Stiffness Spectrum）A special report was given on the evaluation method.

This study adopted the independently developed technology by Xijian TechnologySkeletal muscle mechanics quantitative testing equipmentAs a core testing platform, a standardized quantitative evaluation process for the mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon in athletes has been established and validated，Received widespread attention from attending experts. The relevant methodological paper was published in June 2026《Journal of Visualized Experiments》（JoVE）。

PART01

International academic stage showcases innovative achievements

Innovation on the Global Academic Stage

Oral report selectedBiomechanicsSub forum, International Research on Domestic Testing Technology Services.

ECSS is one of the most influential academic conferences in the field of international sports science. Every year, it brings together researchers and clinical experts from around the world in sports medicine, biomechanics, sports rehabilitation, and sports training, representing the forefront of international sports science research. The number of keynote speakers at the conference must be selected through peer review of abstracts.

This report showcases the methodological progress of the Beijing Sport University team in the field of tendon biomechanics, and provides a new practical case for the domestic quantitative detection technology of skeletal muscle mechanics as a core research tool to serve international high-level sports science research.

PART 02

New directions to overcome industry bottlenecks

Breaking Industry Barriers

Focusing on the difficult problem of Achilles tendon mechanics evaluation, proposing a new concept of "functional stiffness spectrum"

The Achilles tendon is one of the most important tendons in the human body, which plays an important role in transmitting strength and storing elastic energy during sports such as running, jumping, and sprinting. Its mechanical properties directly affect sports performance and the risk of sports injuries.

The Achilles tendon exhibits complex nonlinear anisotropic mechanical properties. For a long time, in vivo assessment of Achilles tendon stiffness has mainly relied on ultrasound combined with isokinetic muscle strength testing systems, which are not only expensive in equipment and complex in testing processes, but also usually can only obtainSingle joint angleThe values below are difficult to fully reflect the functional characteristics of the Achilles tendon in real motion.

In response to the bottleneck of this industry, Professor Cui Yixiong's team from Beijing Sport University, together with the Department of Engineering Mechanics at Tsinghua University, innovatively proposed the Achilles tendon“Functional stiffness spectrum（Functional Stiffness Spectrum）”The evaluation philosophy. This paradigm expands the mechanical characterization of Achilles tendon from the traditional "single point scalar index" to cover the range of ankle joint functional activitiesStiffness angle curveIt can more fully characterize the nonlinear mechanical behavior of tendons during passive stretching, providing more functional data support for monitoring exercise performance and tracking tendon status.

PART03

New plan, new process

New Solutions, New Protocol

Xijian Technology provides a core testing platform and builds a standardized quantitative evaluation system

This study relied on the quantitative detection equipment of skeletal muscle mechanics from Xijian Technology to complete all data collection.

The system adoptsVibration ultrasonic elastography technology：Apply a short-term mechanical excitation of hundreds of milliseconds to the organization, synchronously track the propagation of the mechanical waves excited by it in the tissue with ultrasound, and quantitatively obtain the local Achilles tendonEquivalent shear modulus of elasticity (G, in kPa)——The equivalent shear modulus couples the initial modulus and passive stress of the Achilles tendon. Compared to traditional laboratory solutions, this system does not require a large isokinetic muscle strength meter, nor does it require the vibration device to be tied and fixed to the limbs, making the detection process more portable and efficient,The entire process for a single person takes about 10-20 minutesIt can be applied to various scenarios such as laboratories, sports team training sites, and clinical rehabilitation.

The research team has established coverageputSix ankle joint angles, including relaxed position, plantar flexion at 40 °/20 °, neutral position at 0 °, and dorsiflexion at 20 °/40 °The standardized testing process of Achilles tendon provides a unified methodological basis for subsequent longitudinal monitoring and training evaluation of athletes by collecting and drawing the stiffness angle curve within the functional range of Achilles tendon point by point.

Reliability verification results

Within the same laboratory, testing personnel, and testing field, each angle should be measured at least 3 times and real-time quality control with a coefficient of variation (CV)<30% should be performed. The multi angle detection process shows good to excellent repeatability: the intra group correlation coefficient for each testing angleICC (2,1) ranges from 0.871 to 0.974ICC is usually considered good when it is greater than 0.75 and excellent when it is greater than 0.9, with the relaxed position being the highest (0.974) and the neutral position being the lowest but still considered good (0.871). It should be noted that the evaluation object of this conclusion is the measurement process of this study, and the reliability under cross day, cross operator, and training site conditionsTo be verified separately.

Meanwhile, the average coefficient of variation (CV) for each angle is14%～25%The relaxed position and plantar flexion position are the lowest (14% to 16%), while the maximum dorsiflexion position is the highest (about 25%). The paper points out that this is related to the fact that the propagation speed of shear waves in the Achilles tendon under high tension is close to the detection limit of portable devices, reflecting the mechanical properties of high tension anisotropic tissues that exhibit certain fluctuations even in the same posture, rather than the unreliability of the method itself; But it also suggests that,The absolute value under extreme dorsiflexion angle should be interpreted with caution, as this method is more suitable for tracking longitudinal changes in the same individual.

Provide new quantitative tools for sports training and rehabilitation monitoring

Further research has found that as the ankle joint gradually dorsiflexes, the stiffness of the Achilles tendon exhibits a significant nonlinear increase, reflecting typicalstrain hardening（strain-stiffening） Characteristic - The sudden increase between plantar flexion of 20 ° and neutral position of 0 ° corresponds to the classic "toe region" where collagen fibers gradually straighten from a curled state.

In addition, preliminary observations have shown that there are differences in the mechanical characteristics of the Achilles tendon among athletes of different specialties at certain joint angles (such as significantly higher stiffness of the Achilles tendon in basketball players compared to tennis players at 20 ° plantarflexion and neutral positions), while the difference disappears at the maximum dorsiflexion position, indicating that the mechanical characteristics of various specialties tend to converge under high tension; It should be noted that the difference in this specific category is only manifested as the interaction of "angle x specific category" and is close to the significance boundary (p=0.049). The specific category itself has no main effect and requires larger sample verification. No significant difference was found between the dominant and non dominant sides, indicating that the Achilles tendon maintains symmetry at the functional level.

These findings indicate that multi angle mechanical evaluation can more fully reflect the tendon functional status of athletes than single point measurement, and is expected to provide more objective quantitative basis for the evaluation of specialized training effects, exercise load management, and tendon disease rehabilitation follow-up.

Regarding the applicable boundaries of the method

It should be noted that this study is aMethodology (reliability) research，The key is to verify the repeatability of the measurement process. According to the clear prompts in the paper, this method:

Applicable to：Local tendon mechanics assessment under static/quasi-static conditions, such as longitudinal adaptability monitoring, bilateral symmetry screening, and tendon disease rehabilitation follow-up;
Not applicable：Not suitable for high-speed dynamic movements that are difficult to maintain stable acoustic coupling, nor for acute phase of complete Achilles tendon rupture (baseline tension loss);

Due to the strong anisotropy of the Achilles tendon, the measured results cannot be directly equated with the longitudinal tensile stiffness of the Achilles tendon;

The participants in this study are national level individuals aged 18-26 years oldmaleAthletes, covering six specialties including basketball, volleyball, football, tennis, short distance running, and long-distance running, need further research to promote to female, elderly, and tendon disease patients;

This studyDamage prediction research has not yet been conductedIts warning value for damage risk needs to be tested by prospective research.

PART04

Future Outlook

Future Outlook

Continuous deepening of scientific research cooperation and joint promotionIntervention of Biomechanics in Ecological Systems

In recent years, Xijian Technology has continued to engage in deep cooperation with multiple universities, hospitals, and research institutions, continuously promoting technological innovation and achievement transformation around quantitative testing of skeletal muscle and tendon mechanics, sports injury assessment, rehabilitation medicine, and sports health.

In the future, Xijian Technology will continue to adhere to the guidance of clinical needs and scientific research innovation, deepen cooperation with domestic and foreign universities, research institutions, and medical units, and continue to promote the development and application of mechanical quantitative detection technology for various biological soft tissues including skeletal muscles and tendons, providing more accurate and efficient biomechanical solutions for basic scientific research, clinical medicine, and health management.

About Xijian

Beijing Xijian Technology Co., Ltd. is based on more than ten years of research foundation in the field of human soft tissue mechanics characterization in the Laboratory of Biomaterials and Soft Materials Mechanics at Tsinghua University. It is committed to promoting the industrialization of human biomechanical imaging platform technology, focusing on clinical blue ocean demand markets such as sports health, dermatology, and major disease diagnosis and treatment.

Editor: Geng Tianshui | Producer: Zhang Liga

Design material source: Maker post, 96 editor

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