Comparison of Lower Limb COP and Muscle Activation During Single-Leg Deadlift Using Elastic and Inelastic Barbells

NCT ID: NCT07061314

Last Updated: 2025-07-11

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

27 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-15

Study Completion Date

2025-02-28

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate the effects of barbell type (elastic vs. inelastic) and lifting speed on lower limb balance and muscle activation during the Single-Leg Deadlift (SLDL) exercise. Using a randomized crossover design, healthy adults performed SLDL at three different movement speeds while center of pressure (COP) and electromyographic (EMG) responses were measured. The study seeks to determine whether elastic barbells, which create top-down perturbations, enhance neuromuscular control and postural stability more effectively than traditional inelastic barbells.

Detailed Description

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This randomized clinical trial examines how barbell type and movement speed affect lower limb stability and muscle activation during Single-Leg Deadlift (SLDL) exercises. The intervention compares elastic barbells-designed to generate upper-limb-initiated dynamic perturbations-to conventional inelastic barbells. Twenty-seven healthy adults with prior resistance training experience participated in the study. All participants performed SLDL using both barbell types across three speeds: normal (2 seconds), fast (1 second), and power (as fast as possible).

Center of Pressure (COP) data were recorded using a force platform to assess anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) sway. Surface electromyography (EMG) was collected from eight lower limb muscles to evaluate neuromuscular responses. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA.

The findings revealed that elastic barbells significantly reduced COP displacement and increased activation in the gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius muscles-particularly at high movement speeds. These results suggest that elastic barbells may improve dynamic stability and neuromuscular coordination, offering potential applications in sports rehabilitation and unilateral training programs.

Conditions

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Neuromuscular Control Functional Training Lower Limb Stability

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Crossover Assignment
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Single-Group Crossover

Participants will perform single-leg deadlifts under two loading conditions: an elastic barbell and an inelastic barbell. Each condition will be tested at three different movement speeds (normal, fast, and power) in randomized order. Each participant completes all conditions as part of a within-subject repeated measures design

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Elastic Barbell

Intervention Type DEVICE

A flexible plastic barbell that creates top-down perturbations during movement. Participants perform single-leg deadlifts using this elastic bar at three different speeds: normal (2 sec), fast (1 sec), and power (as fast as possible). The bar is loaded to 30% of the participant's estimated 1RM.

Inelastic Barbell

Intervention Type DEVICE

A standard rigid steel barbell with no elasticity. Participants perform single-leg deadlifts using this barbell under the same speed conditions and loading parameters as the elastic barbell.

Interventions

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Elastic Barbell

A flexible plastic barbell that creates top-down perturbations during movement. Participants perform single-leg deadlifts using this elastic bar at three different speeds: normal (2 sec), fast (1 sec), and power (as fast as possible). The bar is loaded to 30% of the participant's estimated 1RM.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Inelastic Barbell

A standard rigid steel barbell with no elasticity. Participants perform single-leg deadlifts using this barbell under the same speed conditions and loading parameters as the elastic barbell.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* No history of musculoskeletal disorders in the past 6 months

At least 1 year of experience in resistance or functional training

Able to perform single-leg deadlift exercise safely

Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* History of lower extremity surgery or major musculoskeletal injury within the past year

Current pain or symptoms in the hip, knee, or ankle joints

Neurological, cardiovascular, or balance disorders

Participation in other conflicting research studies within the last 3 months

Inability to maintain single-leg stance for at least 5 seconds

Presence of skin irritation or condition at electrode placement sites
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Busan University of Foreign Studies

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ji Hwan Jeong

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ji Hwan Jeong, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Sports and Health Convergence

Locations

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Busan University of Foreign Studies

Busan, , South Korea

Site Status

Countries

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South Korea

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Other Identifiers

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BUFS-SLDL-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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