Comparison of Intercostal and Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Oxygenation in Women and Men

NCT06896838 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AhiEvranU528
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The differences in physiological responses due to gender during exercise tests have recently begun to be investigated. The oxygen use of respiratory muscles and lower extremity muscles may differ during upper and lower extremity exercise tests, but there is no study on this subject in the literature. The primary aim of this study was to compare intercostal and quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation during upper extremity and lower extremity maximal exercise tests in women and men. The secondary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between intercostal and quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation and upper extremity and lower extremity exercise capacity, body composition, respiratory muscle strength, and respiratory muscle endurance in women and men.

Conditions

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Keywords

muscle oxygenation; exercise capacity; body composition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Maximal symptom limited cycle ergometer test

  In order to evaluate the exercise capacity of individuals, a symptom-limited increasing workload exercise test will be applied on a bicycle ergometer. In the test, patients will warm up at 0 watts for 3 minutes and then proceed to the loading period of the test. During the loading period, patients will be provided with a 20-watt workload increase every 2 minutes to reach their maximal workload. Patients will be encouraged to continue testing to the maximum level they can sustain during the test. The test will be terminated by the practitioner when patients reach their maximal heart rate or if they wish to terminate the test due to symptoms.

  First day

• Maximal symptom limited arm ergometer test

  Arm ergometer test will be used to evaluate the upper extremity exercise capacity of individuals. The test will be performed in a sitting position with the ergometer height at shoulder level. The arm ergometer test will begin at 0 watts (W) workload and 45-55 rpm at each stage. The workload will be increased by 10 W every two minutes. The highest workload reached during the test will be recorded as watt.

  Second day

• Evaluation of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Oxygenation

  Muscle oxygen level and total hemoglobin level of quadriceps femoris will be measured using Moxy® monitor (Moxy, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA) before cycle ergometer test, during testing and during post-test recovery.

  First day

• Evaluation of Intercostals Muscle Oxygenation

  Muscle oxygen level and total hemoglobin level of and intercostal muscles will be measured using Moxy® monitor (Moxy, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA) before arm ergometer test, during testing and during post-test recovery.

  Second day

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Evaluation of respiratory muscle strength

  Second day

• Evaluation of respiratory muscle endurance

  Second day

• Evaluation of body composition

  First day

Study Arms (2)

Female Group

Healthy, active individuals with no history of respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal or acute infection at least 2 weeks before the test will be included in the study. Individuals whose activity level is in category 3 according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire results (at least 3 days of vigorous activity providing a minimum of 1500 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes (min)/week or more days of walking, moderate or vigorous activity providing a minimum of 3000 MET-min/week, 7 or more days) will be included.

Male Group

Healthy, active individuals with no history of respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal or acute infection at least 2 weeks before the test will be included in the study. Individuals whose activity level is in category 3 according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire results (at least 3 days of vigorous activity providing a minimum of 1500 MET-min/week or more days of walking, moderate or vigorous activity providing a minimum of 3000 MET-min/week, 7 or more days) will be included.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Active individuals who are healthy, with no history of respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or acute infections for at least 2 weeks prior to testing will be enrolled in the study.

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18-35 years,
• Physically active (doing moderate intensity physical activity 3 days a week for 150 minutes / week)
• Volunteer to participate in the study will be included in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Healthy individuals with any diagnosed chronic or systemic disease,
• Those who smoke 10 packs x years or more,
• Those with pneumonia or any acute infection,
• Those with any psychiatric disorder will not be included in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, Cardiopulmonary Unit

Kırşehir, Merkez, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Başak KAVALCI KOL, PhD

  Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principle Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2025
• First Posted: March 26, 2025
• Study Start: June 4, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 2, 2025
• Study Completion: April 6, 2026
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)