Effects of Eccentric Training at Long Muscle Length on Functional Capacities of Elderly Adults

NCT06953258 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: EMULE 24.03657.000456
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

As aging leads to a decline in muscle function and overall physical performance, interventions targeting muscle strength and neuromechanical properties are critical for maintaining functional independence in older adults. Long-length eccentric training has shown promise in enhancing muscle performance, but its effects in older adults, particularly in a home-based setting, remain underexplored. The aim of this trial is to assess whether a targeted home-based training intervention incorporating long-length eccentric contractions can enhance functional capacity and neuromechanical properties in healthy older adults. Participants will be semi-randomly allocated to one of two groups: an experimental group incorporating long-length eccentric contractions (Group 1) or a conventional resistance training group (Group 2), with group assignment stratified to ensure an equal number of men and women in each group. Each participant will complete three laboratory-based experimental sessions (i.e., two Pre-training sessions and one Post-training session) , during which five key evaluations will be conducted: (i) the 5-Time Sit to Stand test, serving as the primary outcome measure; (ii) the Timed Up and Go test; (iii) assessments of isometric and dynamic muscle strength in the knee extensors and plantar flexors; (iv) measurements of the cross-sectional areas of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius medialis, and soleus muscles; and (v) evaluation of tendon stiffness. Following the pre-evaluation, each participant will engage in a 24-session, semi-supervised, home-based training protocol over a period of 8 to 11 weeks. The training program will include eight exercises, with four targeting the upper limbs and four focused on the lower limbs. Group 1 will perform the lower limb exercises at long muscle lengths, while Group 2 will perform the same exercises in a conventional manner (i.e., at neutral or shorter muscle lengths). The total training volume (calculated as repetitions × sets, in arbitrary units) will be matched across both groups, ensuring that any observed differences in outcomes are attributable to the specific training modality rather than differences in workload.

Conditions

Eccentric Exercise; Home-based Training; Elderly Adults

Keywords

aging; eccentric training; supervision; functional capacities; neuromechanical properties

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 5 times Sit to Stand

  The subjects will complete five times STS repetitions on a standardized armless chair. After the cue "ready, set, go!", the subjects will start performing STS repetitions as rapidly as possible from the sitting position with their buttocks touching the chair to the full standing position, with their arms crossed over the chest. Verbal encouragement will be given during the test. The STS test will finish when the subjects sit on the chair after the fifth STS repetition, and the time needed to complete the task will be recorded with a stopwatch to the nearest 0.01 s.

  At baseline (i.e., prior to the start of training) and at study completion (i.e., within one week following the final training session

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Isometric and dynamic muscle strength

  At baseline (i.e., prior to the start of training) and at study completion (i.e., within one week following the final training session

• Timed Up and Go Test

  At baseline (i.e., prior to the start of training) and at study completion (i.e., within one week following the final training session

• Cross sectional areas of vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscles.

  At baseline (i.e., prior to the start of training) and at study completion (i.e., within one week following the final training session

• Stiffness of VL and Achilles tendons

  At baseline (i.e., prior to the start of training) and at study completion (i.e., within one week following the final training session

• Training metrics

  Participants will complete the questions after each training session, resulting in 24 recordings.

Study Arms (2)

Long muscle length eccentric training program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will complete a home-based training program consisting of 24 sessions, including 20 sessions performed independently at home and 4 sessions conducted in small groups at the laboratory. The laboratory-based sessions will be scheduled in coordination with each participant to ensure regular spacing-approximately one supervised session every five home-based sessions-while accommodating individual availability. Group sizes will be maintained between 2 and 5 participants per session to foster motivation and promote adherence. The training program will include conventional resistance exercises, with progressive increases in intensity and volume tailored to each participant's capabilities. In this intervention group, four specific exercises targeting the knee extensors and plantar flexors will be performed at long muscle lengths, distinguishing it from Group #2, where these exercises will be performed in a conventional manner (i.e., at neutral or shorter mus

Other: Home-based eccentric training at long muscle length

Conventional training program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will follow a home-based resistance training program consisting of 24 sessions, including 20 sessions performed independently at home and 4 sessions conducted in small groups at the laboratory, as previously described. The training will involve conventional resistance exercises, with progressive adjustments in intensity and volume based on each participant's physical capacity and progression. Note: the total training volume (i.e., number of repetitions × number of sets, in arbitrary units) will be matched between groups, ensuring that any differences in outcomes can be attributed to the specific training modality rather than differences in workload.

Other: Conventional home-based training

Interventions

Home-based eccentric training at long muscle length OTHER

The training program will include conventional resistance exercises, with progressive increases in intensity and volume tailored to each participant's capabilities. In this condition, specific to the Arm #1, four specific exercises targeting the knee extensors and plantar flexors will be performed at long muscle lengths.

Also known as: Physical training

Long muscle length eccentric training program

Conventional home-based training OTHER

The training program will include conventional resistance exercises, with progressive increases in intensity and volume tailored to each participant's capabilities. In this condition, specific to the Arm#2, four specific exercises targeting the knee extensors and plantar flexors will be performed in a conventional manner (i.e., at neutral or shorter muscle lengths).

Also known as: Physical training

Conventional training program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Men or women 60 years and older
• Individuals eligible for social security coverage
• Individuals without health issues (e.g., musculoskeletal injuries, chronic conditions)
• Individuals who have given their informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Accustomed to resistance exercise (i.e., no participation in a resistance training program within the 6 months prior to enrollment, or not engaging in lower-limb resistance training more than once per week as part of their current routine).
• Pathologies affecting muscle strength in the lower limbs (e.g., neurological or neuromuscular conditions, history of ankle or knee trauma)
• Individuals residing in a healthcare or social institution
• Individuals receiving psychiatric care
• Individuals deprived of their liberty
• Adults under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, or legal safeguard)
• Participation in another ongoing biomedical research study
• Individuals in an emergency situation
• Individuals not covered by social security
• BMI over 30
• Minimal Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 25 or lower
• Significant visual impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Robin Souron: lead
• Pole Hospitalo-Universitaire de Gérontologie Clinique, CHU de Nantes: collaborator
• Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR)see www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

MIP Laboratory, Nantes University

Nantes, 44300, France

Location

Related Publications (16)

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Related Links

• Website

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Physical Conditioning, Human

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate professor

Model Details: We will compare two training groups that differ in the way the exercises are performed: one group will perform the eccentric phase of the movement at long muscle length, while the other will complete the same exercises in their conventional form.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2025
• First Posted: May 1, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Last Updated: May 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: At the end of study completion.

Locations

FR (1)