STRIDE: Strength of The Calf Muscles and Their Role In Declining Effectiveness of Movement With Aging

NCT07726498 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: 1117367102
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The calf muscles (plantarflexors) are the most important muscles for walking, running and daily activities. Weakness of these muscles through aging and disease significantly impact a person's ability to walk and complete daily activities. By assessing calf strength, it is possible to identify people at risk of falls, and a condition called sarcopenia (which means loss of muscle mass, strength and function). Unfortunately, most of the studies that have examined this have used specialist equipment unavailable to hospital staff. Our study aims to use commercially available equipment to explore the relationship between plantarflexor muscle strength and physical performance in adults living with or without sarcopenia, including those at risk of it. The study will determine if stronger/weaker calf muscles associated with sarcopenia influence the ability to walk and do things more easily. We will complete strength tests of the calf, thigh and hand, assess walking using a special camera system, use an ultrasound scan to look at the Achilles tendon, use a scan to look at how stiff your calf muscles are, assess your body composition, complete a physical performance test and some questionnaires. Each participant will complete the measures during one clinic visit

Conditions

Sarcopenia; Aging; Muscle Weakness or Atrophy; Frailty

Keywords

Plantarflexors; Sarcopenia; Aging; Weakness; Multi-morbidity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Isometric plantarflexor strength testing

  Isometric plantarflexor strength will be tested using the Fysiometer C-station

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Theia markerless motion capture system

  Baseline

• Ultrasound Tissue Characterization Imaging

  Baseline

• Elastography

  Baseline

• Grip strength

  Baseline

• Isometric Knee Extension Strength Test

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Sarcopenic

Other: No intervention (observational study)

Non Sarcopenic

Other: No intervention (observational study)

Interventions

No intervention (observational study) OTHER

No intervention (observational study)

Non Sarcopenic; Sarcopenic

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population is individuals over the age of 18 years, who may or may not have sarcopenia. Individuals will be determined as either sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic by completing the outcome measures (SARC-F questionnaire, Grip strength, BIA and SPPB) and using the cut-off values as recommended by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 consensus.

You may qualify if:

• Participant is able and willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study
• Aged 18 years or over
• Ambulatory status: able to walk independently with or without aids
• Able to attend clinic

You may not qualify if:

• Participant is unwilling or unable to give informed consent.
• Palliative/ end of life
• Moderate to severe communication difficulties/ cognitive function
• Immobile
• Lower limb surgery within the last 6 months
• Recent lower limb fracture
• Unstable cardiopulmonary conditions
• Severe impairments of vision or vestibular system
• Lower limb corticosteroid injection within the last 6 months
• No restriction on language

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Leicester: lead
• University Hospitals, Leicester: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Leicester

Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia; Muscle Weakness; Atrophy; Frailty; Asthenia

Interventions

Observation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pathologic Processes

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Methods; Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2026
• First Posted: July 24, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 29, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 29, 2028
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

GB (1)