Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Lower-Limb Muscle Strength and Power in Youth Gymnasts

NCT07415395 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 102772024RT013
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 18
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the acute effects of different aerobic exercise intensities on lower-limb muscle strength and power in elite male youth gymnasts. Aerobic exercise is commonly included in gymnastics training to improve fitness and recovery, but performing aerobic exercise immediately before strength- and power-demanding activities may temporarily influence neuromuscular performance. Eighteen nationally certified male youth gymnasts aged 15 to 18 years participated in a randomized crossover trial. Each participant completed three treadmill-based aerobic exercise conditions on separate days: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and low-intensity steady-state exercise (LSD). Muscle strength and power were assessed before and 15 minutes after each exercise condition using validated force-platform tests, including vertical jumps and isometric strength assessment. The results of this study will help clarify how aerobic exercise intensity influences short-term strength and power performance in youth gymnasts and may inform evidence-based decisions on training sequencing and warm-up strategies in gymnastics practice.

Conditions

Acute Neuromuscular Responses to Aerobic Exercise in Elite Youth Gymnasts

Keywords

Aerobic exercise; Exercise intensity; Muscle strength and Power; Gymnastics; Youth athletes; Randomized crossover trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in countermovement jump height measured by force platform (cm)

  Countermovement jump (CMJ) height assessed using a force platform system. Jump height (cm) will be calculated from flight time. The primary variable will be the change from pre-exercise baseline to 15 minutes after completion of each aerobic exercise condition (HIIT, MICT, and LSD).

  Immediately before and 15 minutes after completion of each intervention session

• Change in isometric mid-thigh pull peak force measured by force plate (N)

  Peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test measured using a force plate. Force values will be recorded in Newtons (N). The primary outcome will be calculated as the change from pre-exercise baseline to 15 minutes after completion of each aerobic exercise condition.

  Immediately before and 15 minutes after completion of each intervention session

• Change in squat jump height measured by force platform (cm)

  Squat jump (SJ) height assessed using a force platform. Jump height will be expressed in centimeters (cm). The outcome variable will be the change from pre-exercise baseline to 15 minutes after completion of each aerobic exercise condition.

  Immediately before and 15 minutes after completion of each intervention session

• Change in drop jump height measured by force platform (cm)

  Drop jump (DJ) height assessed using a force platform following a standardized drop protocol. Jump height (cm) will be analyzed as the change from pre-exercise baseline to 15 minutes after completion of each aerobic exercise condition.

  Immediately before and 15 minutes after completion of each intervention session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Rating of perceived exertion assessed by Borg CR10 scale (score)

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

• Muscle discomfort assessed by Borg CR10 scale (score)

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

Study Arms (3)

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants complete a high-intensity interval treadmill running protocol consisting of repeated short bouts performed at high intensity. Exercise intensity is individually prescribed based on maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants complete a continuous treadmill running session performed at a moderate intensity. Exercise intensity is individually prescribed based on maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training

Low-Intensity Steady-State Exercise (LSD)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants complete a continuous low-intensity treadmill running session. Exercise intensity is individually prescribed based on maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

Behavioral: Low-Intensity Steady-State Exercise

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training BEHAVIORAL

Treadmill-based high-intensity interval running consisting of repeated short bouts performed at high intensity, with exercise intensity individually prescribed using maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training BEHAVIORAL

Treadmill-based continuous aerobic running performed at moderate intensity, with exercise intensity individually prescribed using maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Low-Intensity Steady-State Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Treadmill-based continuous low-intensity aerobic exercise, with exercise intensity individually prescribed using maximal heart rate and maximal aerobic speed.

Low-Intensity Steady-State Exercise (LSD)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male youth gymnasts aged 15 to 18 years.
• Nationally certified or competitively trained gymnasts with regular training experience.
• Free from musculoskeletal injury within the past six months.
• Able to complete treadmill running and strength and power testing.
• Written informed consent provided by participants and their legal guardians.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury.
• History of cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological disorders.
• Use of medications or supplements that could affect neuromuscular performance.
• Inability to complete all exercise conditions or testing procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chaoran Han: lead
• Macao Polytechnic University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai University of Sport

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200438, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Conditioning, Human; 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: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Sponsor-Investigator

Model Details: This study uses a randomized crossover design in which all participants complete three aerobic exercise conditions (HIIT, MICT, and LSD) in a randomized order, with a minimum washout period of 72 hours between conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2026
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: March 18, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 18, 2024
• Study Completion: August 18, 2024
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)