Lower Limb Strength and Power as Predictors of Brain Blood Flow During Exercise

NCT07575802 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: WSUST-IRB-070225
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 256
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of lower limb muscle strength and explosive power on exercise-induced prefrontal hemodynamic responses. Using an interpretable machine learning framework (GCAT-Net), the research analyzes how various physical performance indicators-such as isokinetic muscle strength, 1RM leg press, and vertical jump metrics-can predict oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHbO) changes in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during moderate-intensity cycling.

Conditions

Prefrontal Hemodynamics; Muscle Strength; Physical Performance

Keywords

functional near-infrared spectroscopy; prefrontal cortex; lower-limb power; muscle strength

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Area Under the Curve of Oxygenated Hemoglobin (Δ HbO AUC) during Aerobic Exercise

  Cortical hemodynamics are measured using the NIRSport2 fNIRS system over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

  Measured during the 6-minute constant-load cycling task (60%VO_2max), which occurs approximately 120 minutes after the start of the experimental session.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Demographic and Morphological Baseline Profile

  Baseline (Minutes 0-20 of the session).

• Isokinetic Neuromuscular Strength Battery

  Post-baseline assessment (Minutes 30-60 of the session).

• Explosive Power and Functional Performance Metric

  Following isokinetic testing (Minutes 70-90 of the session).

• Peak Cardiorespiratory Capacity (VO_2max)

  Final physical assessment before the hemodynamic task (Minutes 100-120 of the session).

Study Arms (1)

Standardized Physical Performance and Hemodynamic Observation Group

OTHER

Observational Study Arm

Other: Standardized Lower-Limb Physical Performance Assessment and Aerobic Exercise Task

Interventions

Standardized Lower-Limb Physical Performance Assessment and Aerobic Exercise Task OTHER

Participants undergo a comprehensive physiological and biomechanical assessment protocol divided into three phases. First, demographic and morphological data (Age, Sex, BMI, and Body Fat %) are collected, followed by a maximal oxygen consumption (VO\_2max) test using a Bruce-modified ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. Second, participants complete a standardized lower-limb neuromuscular battery, including isokinetic strength testing at 60°/s (peak torque for knee, hip, and ankle) via a Biodex System 4 Pro, a 1RM leg press, and explosive power assessments comprising Countermovement Jumps (CMJ), Squat Jumps (SJ), and 30m sprints. Finally, cortical hemodynamic activity is monitored using a 16-channel fNIRS system (NIRSport2) over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during a 6-minute constant-load cycling task at 60% VO\_2max.

Standardized Physical Performance and Hemodynamic Observation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adults aged between 18.00 and 60.00 years.
• Must be able to perform standardized lower-limb physical assessments, including isokinetic strength testing and explosive power tests (e.g., CMJ, SJ, and 30m sprints).
• Capability to complete a 6-minute aerobic cycling task at a moderate intensity (60% VO\_2max).
• Physically cleared for exercise as determined by a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
• Willingness to undergo functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitoring with a Scalp Coupling Index (SCI) ≥ 0.7.

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal injuries to the lower limbs within the past 6 months that would impede maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) or high-intensity efforts.
• Known cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological conditions that contraindicate maximal exercise testing (VO\_2max ramp protocol).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) or health status that prevents the safe completion of high-impact explosive power tests like the 30cm drop jump (RSI assessment).
• Presence of excessive motion artifacts or poor fNIRS signal quality, specifically a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) \< 5 dB or motion artifact frame ratio ≥$ 10%.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lincoln University College: lead
• Wuhan Technical University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Moscow State University of Sport and Tourism

Moscow, 117519, Russia

Location

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: Doctoral Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 4, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2025
• Study Completion: March 15, 2025
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

RU (1)