Effectiveness of Distal and Proximal Muscle Fatigue for Healthy Young Adults

NCT ID: NCT06181071

Last Updated: 2025-08-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 26 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-01-18

Brief Summary

This is a study aiming to investigate the effects of acute muscle fatigue on muscle properties, balance and foot plantar pressure in healthy young adults (having no chronic diseases or orthopaedic diseases and physically active). This study also aims to compare the effects of foot muscle fatigue and hip muscle fatigue on balance and foot plantar pressure.

The exercises for ankle muscle fatigue are heel rise with bending your knee and heel raise without bending your knees.

The exercise for hip muscle fatigue is a single-leg squat. Before and after completing these all exercises, the balance is evaluated with an isokinetic balance device, the foot plantar pressure is evaluated with a pedobarography device and finally, the muscle properties are evaluated with a myotonPro device. All assessment devices are non-invasive.

Detailed Description

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short form) will be used to assess individuals' physical activity levels. Prior to the distal and proximal fatigue protocols, the participants' maximum isometric muscle forces of the gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus muscles will be evaluated using a dynamometer.

Then, the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of these muscles and the iliotibial band will be assessed using the MyotonPro device, participants' static foot pressure on both feet will be evaluated through pedobarography, and individuals' dynamic balance and static balance will be evaluated on one foot using the Technobody isokinetic balance device.

The individuals included in the study will undergo exercises targeting the foot plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles on the first day, and exercises targeting the hip flexor and extensor muscles on the second day. The researcher will measure the voluntary maximum isometric muscle strength using a dynamometer,

Heel raise exercises will be performed in 3 sets, with 30 seconds of free walking allowed for rest between sets. Individuals will initially complete 3 sets of this exercise without bending their knees. Then, they will perform the heel raise exercise with bent knees. The researcher will measure the voluntary maximum isometric muscle strength using a dynamometer when the Modified Borg Scale indicates a level of 7 or above. If the muscle strength has decreased to 50% of the initial force, indicating fatigue, the exercise will be terminated.

Second day, a single-leg squat will be performed in 3 sets, with 30 seconds of free walking allowed for rest between sets.The researcher will measure the voluntary maximum isometric muscle strength using a dynamometer when the Modified Borg Scale indicates a level of 7 or above. If the muscle strength has decreased to 50% of the initial force, indicating fatigue, the exercise will be terminated.

After the distal fatigue protocol, the viscoelastic properties of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles will be assessed using the MyotonPro device, while the plantar pressures will be evaluated through pedobarography. Additionally, static and dynamic balances will be measured using the Technobody device. Following the proximal fatigue protocol, the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the gluteus maximus and rectus femoris muscles, along with the iliotibial band, will be examined using the MyotonPro device. Similarly, plantar pressures will be analyzed through pedobarography, and static and dynamic balances will be assessed using the Technobody device. The collected data will be recorded by the researcher.

Conditions

Healthy; Young Adult; Fatigue

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Distal Fatigue of The Lower Extremity

Distal muscle fatigue of the lower extremity involves the plantar and dorsiflexor muscles of the ankle.

Group Type: OTHER

Distal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

Initially, sociodemographic data, muscle viscoelastic properties, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance are assessed. Additionally, the strengths of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles are evaluated. After these assessments, the heel raise exercise will be implemented in this protocol. Firstly, dominant leg, the heel raise exercise will be performed for 3 sets with the knees in full extension until the individual reaches fatigue. Subsequently, the heel raise exercise will be conducted for another 3 sets with the knee in flexion until the individual reaches fatigue. Following these exercises, Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Proximal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

One week after the application of the distal muscle fatigue protocol, the same individuals will undergo the proximal fatigue protocol. In this protocol, individuals will perform, dominant leg, a single-leg squat exercise targeting the fatigue of the hip flexor and extensor muscles. Prior to this exercise, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, static and dynamic balances, as well as the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be assessed. Then, individuals will perform the single-leg squat exercise, 3 sets. When the individual indicates fatigue, the set will conclude, allowing a 30-second rest between sets. Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Proximal Fatigue of The Lower Extremity

Proximal muscle fatigue of the lower extremity involves hip flexor and extansor muscles.

Group Type: OTHER

Distal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

Initially, sociodemographic data, muscle viscoelastic properties, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance are assessed. Additionally, the strengths of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles are evaluated. After these assessments, the heel raise exercise will be implemented in this protocol. Firstly, dominant leg, the heel raise exercise will be performed for 3 sets with the knees in full extension until the individual reaches fatigue. Subsequently, the heel raise exercise will be conducted for another 3 sets with the knee in flexion until the individual reaches fatigue. Following these exercises, Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Proximal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

One week after the application of the distal muscle fatigue protocol, the same individuals will undergo the proximal fatigue protocol. In this protocol, individuals will perform, dominant leg, a single-leg squat exercise targeting the fatigue of the hip flexor and extensor muscles. Prior to this exercise, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, static and dynamic balances, as well as the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be assessed. Then, individuals will perform the single-leg squat exercise, 3 sets. When the individual indicates fatigue, the set will conclude, allowing a 30-second rest between sets. Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Interventions

Distal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Initially, sociodemographic data, muscle viscoelastic properties, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance are assessed. Additionally, the strengths of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles are evaluated. After these assessments, the heel raise exercise will be implemented in this protocol. Firstly, dominant leg, the heel raise exercise will be performed for 3 sets with the knees in full extension until the individual reaches fatigue. Subsequently, the heel raise exercise will be conducted for another 3 sets with the knee in flexion until the individual reaches fatigue. Following these exercises, Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Proximal Muscle Fatigue Protocol

One week after the application of the distal muscle fatigue protocol, the same individuals will undergo the proximal fatigue protocol. In this protocol, individuals will perform, dominant leg, a single-leg squat exercise targeting the fatigue of the hip flexor and extensor muscles. Prior to this exercise, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, static and dynamic balances, as well as the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be assessed. Then, individuals will perform the single-leg squat exercise, 3 sets. When the individual indicates fatigue, the set will conclude, allowing a 30-second rest between sets. Then, the strengths of the hip flexor and extensor muscles will be re-evaluated. If the individual reports a value of 7 or higher on the modified Borg scale, the viscoelastic properties of the muscles, foot plantar pressure, and static and dynamic balance will be reassessed when a 50% decrease in the initial strength is detected.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• To be a healthy individual in the age range of 18-35,
• To be willing to participate in the study,
• To have a minimal active or highly active score on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form),
• To have a body mass index (BMI) of 24.9 kg/m² or lower.

Exclusion Criteria

• Having a history of injury and/or surgical operation related to the lower extremity,
• Having limited mobility in the lower extremity,
• Having any deformity related to the lower extremity,
• Having cardiovascular, vestibular, neurological, orthopedic, or skin-related diseases,
• Having any chronic disease that may affect balance,
• Having any acute/chronic musculoskeletal pain or systemic pain,
• Not to have given consent to participate in the study or to wish to withdraw from the study.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Gülenay Yıldırım

Research Assistant

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Gulenay Yildirim

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Locations

University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Laboratory

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

SaglikBilimleri22-114

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id