Test-retest Reliability of sEMG to Measure Fatigue in Adolescents

NCT07161531 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 6979
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the test-retest reliability of surface electromyography (sEMG) outcomes in detecting levels of fatigue among healthy adolescents engaged in physical activities. It seeks to evaluate the consistency of sEMG parameters across two test sessions and correlate these measurements with both performance metrics and subjective fatigue assessments. Participants will perform repetitive squatting until volitional exhaustion while their muscular activity is recorded. They will do so on two different test sessions with an interval of one week in between.

Conditions

Healthy Adolescents

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• sEMG median power frequency (MPF) - test

  A parameter used to analyze the frequency content of the electrical signals generated by muscle activity. Changes in the MPF can indicate alterations in muscle fiber recruitment and metabolic changes during sustained muscle contractions

  first test session at day 1

• sEMG median power frequency - retest

  A parameter used to analyze the frequency content of the electrical signals generated by muscle activity. Changes in the MPF can indicate alterations in muscle fiber recruitment and metabolic changes during sustained muscle contractions

  second test session after 1 week

• sEMG RMS amplitude - test

  A single value that represents the magnitude of the sEMG signal over a specified period of time, higher RMS values indicate greater muscle activation.

  first test session at day 1

• sEMG RMS amplitude - retest

  A single value that represents the magnitude of the sEMG signal over a specified period of time, higher RMS values indicate greater muscle activation.

  second test session after 1 week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• VAS score - test

  first test session at day 1

• VAS score - retest

  second session after 1 week

Other Outcomes (6)

• Age

  first test session at day 1

• Gender

  first session

• Height

  first test session at day 1

Study Arms (1)

Fatigue

EXPERIMENTAL

To induce muscular fatigue, participants will perform a repetitive bodyweight squat until 1) the squat cannot be performed over the full range of motion for 2 consecutive repetitions and 2) physical exertion occurs (10-point Borg scale).

Diagnostic Test: Surface Electromyography

Interventions

Surface Electromyography DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The primary lower limb muscles to be monitored include the gluteus medius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis (quadriceps ), biceps femoris (hamstrings), tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis (calves). This setup fully utilizes a 16-channel sEMG system by monitoring each muscle group bilaterally to capture comprehensive data on muscle activity and fatigue.

Fatigue

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• engage in regular physical activity, such as sports or dance

You may not qualify if:

• neuromuscular disorders
• conditions that affect muscle function

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiteit Antwerpen: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universiteit Antwerpen, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Research group MOVANT

Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

• Mokkink, L.B., de Vet, H., Diemeer, S. et al. Sample size recommendations for studies on reliability and measurement error: an online application based on simulation studies. Health Serv Outcomes Res Method 23, 241-265 (2023)

  BACKGROUND

• Patikas DA, Williams CA, Ratel S. Exercise-induced fatigue in young people: advances and future perspectives. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2018 May;118(5):899-910. doi: 10.1007/s00421-018-3823-1. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

  PMID: 29441401 BACKGROUND

• Lynn SK, Watkins CM, Wong MA, Balfany K, Feeney DF. Validity and Reliability of Surface Electromyography Measurements from a Wearable Athlete Performance System. J Sports Sci Med. 2018 May 14;17(2):205-215. eCollection 2018 Jun.

  PMID: 29769821 BACKGROUND

• Cifrek M, Medved V, Tonkovic S, Ostojic S. Surface EMG based muscle fatigue evaluation in biomechanics. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2009 May;24(4):327-40. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.01.010. Epub 2009 Mar 13.

  PMID: 19285766 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Electromyography

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electrodiagnosis; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Myography

Central Study Contacts

Ann Hallemans, Associate Professor, PhD

CONTACT

+3232652912; ann.hallemans@uantwerpen.be

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 23, 2025
• First Posted: September 8, 2025
• Study Start: March 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)