Comparison of DNS-Based Developmental Exercise and Single Leg Squat Exercise in Fencers

NCT07252635 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-1206
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how three different exercises affect quadriceps muscle activity (Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, and Rectus femoris) in young fencers. The three exercises are: a single-leg decline squat, a single-leg decline squat with core activation, and a half high-kneeling exercise based on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). The main question it aims to answer is:

• Which of these three exercises produces the highest activity in the quadriceps muscles (Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, and Rectus femoris)?
• Researchers will compare all three exercises to see which one best activates the quadriceps muscles. Participants will:
• Perform all three exercises in a random order
• Have sensors (surface EMG) placed on the Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, and Rectus femoris muscles to record activity
• Complete each exercise with standardized timing This information may help guide training and injury prevention programs for fencing athletes by identifying which exercises most effectively activate the quadriceps muscles.

Conditions

Quadriceps Muscle

Keywords

Exercise; One leg squat; DNS; EMG; Muscle activation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Normalized quadriceps muscle activation measured by surface electromyography (EMG)

  Quadriceps muscle activation will be assessed in the dominant leg using surface electromyography (EMG) during three different exercises (single-leg decline squat, single-leg decline squat with core activation, and DNS-based half high-kneeling exercise). Bipolar surface EMG electrodes will be placed over the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris muscles according to standard recommendations. Raw EMG signals will be filtered, rectified, and converted to root mean square (RMS) values. For each muscle and each exercise, EMG amplitudes will be normalized to the corresponding maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and expressed as a percentage of MVIC (%MVIC). The primary outcome will be the average normalized EMG amplitude (%MVIC) recorded during the repetitions of each exercise.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year".

Study Arms (1)

Fencers Performing Three Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants are competitive fencers who will perform three different lower-extremity exercises during the study session. The exercises are: Single-leg decline squat Single-leg decline squat with core activation Half high kneeling exercise based on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Each exercise is performed on the dominant leg, following standardized timing in three phases (eccentric, isometric, concentric). The order of exercises is randomized. Muscle activity of the quadriceps (vastus medialis obliquus, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris) is recorded with surface electromyography (EMG) during all exercises.

Other: EMG analysis during Single-Leg Decline Squat

Interventions

EMG analysis during Single-Leg Decline Squat OTHER

EMG analysis during Half high kneeling exercise

Fencers Performing Three Exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Practicing fencing for at least 5 years
• Age between 18 and 24 years
• No systemic or neurological problems
• No knee pain on the dominant side

You may not qualify if:

• History of knee injury in the past year
• History of surgery on the dominant lower extremity
• History of patellar tendinitis
• Previous experience with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) training
• Pain while performing exercises during the test protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: lead
• Gazi University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Gazi University Health Sciences Faculty, Sports Rehabilitation Unit

Ankara, 06010, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Seda Bicici Ulusahin, PT PhD

  Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 28, 2025
• Study Start: August 5, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: August 1, 2025
• Last Updated: November 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Available 6 months after publication of the main results.
• Access Criteria: Documents will be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Locations

TU (1)