Effects of Muscle Fatigue

NCT07009496 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UBeykent-14
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of fatigue in the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles on joint position sense, balance, pain threshold, and muscle elasticity in healthy young adults. Muscle fatigue is known to directly affect physical performance and motor function; therefore, understanding its influence on neuromuscular parameters such as proprioception, postural control, and tissue properties is of great importance. By examining how these specific muscle groups respond to fatigue, the study seeks to clarify the role of fatigue in altering joint position sense, balance performance, pain perception, and muscle mechanical properties. The findings of this research are expected to provide new insights that may contribute to the development of more effective strategies in physical therapy and rehabilitation practices.

Conditions

Healthy; Fatigue

Keywords

Exstrinsic Foot Muscle; Fatigue; Balance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Joint Position Sense (JPS)

  Absolute error (in degrees) in ankle joint position sense measured using the active angle reproduction method with the DrGoniometer app. bsolute error (in degrees) in ankle joint position sense measured using the active angle reproduction method with the DrGoniometer app. bsolute error (in degrees) in ankle joint position sense measured using the active angle reproduction method with the DrGoniometer app.

  Baseline, immediately post-fatigue, 24 hours post-fatigue, 48 hours post-fatigue

• Change in Dynamic Balance Performance

  Normalized reach distance and composite score from the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.

  Baseline, immediately post-fatigue, 24 hours post-fatigue, 48 hours post-fatigue

• Change in Muscle Elasticity

  Normalized reach distance and composite score from the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.

  Baseline, immediately post-fatigue, 24 hours post-fatigue, 48 hours post-fatigue

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Force Plate Fatigue Metrics

  Baseline and immediately post-fatigue

Study Arms (2)

Tibialis Anterior Fatigue Protocol

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform isometric dorsiflexion exercises targeting the tibialis anterior muscle in a supine position using a custom-designed apparatus fixed at 100° ankle dorsiflexion. The fatigue protocol includes 30-second contraction and 15-second rest cycles, repeated until a score of ≥7 is reached on the Modified Borg Scale. Neuromuscular assessments-including joint position sense, dynamic balance, muscle elasticity, pain threshold, and fatigue metrics-are conducted at four time points: before, immediately after, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-protocol.

Behavioral: Tibialis Anterior Fatigue Protocol

Gastrocnemius Fatigue Protocol

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform isometric plantarflexion exercises targeting the gastrocnemius muscle while in a prone position with the foot pressing against a wall. The protocol consists of repeated 30-second contractions and 15-second rest cycles until a Modified Borg Scale score of ≥7 is reported. Evaluations of joint position sense, balance, muscle elasticity, pain threshold, and performance-based fatigue metrics are conducted at the same time intervals: before, immediately after, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the protocol.

Behavioral: Gastrocnemius Fatigue Protocol

Interventions

Tibialis Anterior Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

Participants lie in a supine position with the ankle fixed at 100° dorsiflexion using a custom apparatus. They perform repeated isometric dorsiflexion contractions for 30 seconds followed by 15 seconds of rest. The protocol continues until a perceived exertion of ≥7 is reported on the Modified Borg Scale. Evaluations include joint position sense, balance, muscle elasticity, pain threshold, and performance metrics recorded at four time points: pre-, post-, 24h, and 48h.

Tibialis Anterior Fatigue Protocol

Gastrocnemius Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

Participants lie in a prone position with their foot placed against a wall. They perform repeated isometric plantarflexion contractions for 30 seconds with 15 seconds of rest between repetitions. The exercise is continued until a Modified Borg score of ≥7 is reached. Measurements of neuromuscular and biomechanical parameters are conducted at the same four time points: before, immediately after, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-exercise.

Gastrocnemius Fatigue Protocol

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 24 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9
• Low to moderate physical activity level
• No history of neurological or orthopedic disorders
• Full range of motion in the ankle joint
• Voluntary participation and informed consent provided

You may not qualify if:

• History of trauma or surgery in the lower extremities
• Regular participation in exercise or being a professional athlete

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Beykent: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Beykent University Physiotherapy Lab.

Istanbul, Büyükçekmece, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Profesor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 29, 2025
• First Posted: June 6, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 15, 2025
• Study Completion: May 20, 2025
• Last Updated: June 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)