Improving Motor Skills: The Role of Music and Encouragement
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Interventions
- Other: Isometric Task
- Registration Number
- NCT06380088
- Lead Sponsor
- Universita degli Studi di Genova
- Brief Summary
This study used a randomised crossover design to analyse the effect of three different experimental interventions - i.e. standard conditions, music and verbal encouragement - on performance in an isometric endurance task, comparing results between untrained and trained individuals. The interval between each intervention was set at seven days. The outcome measures are muscle activity and fatigue, assessed by surface electromyography, and task duration.
Isometric endurance task requires participants to keep their arm flexed at a 90° angle while holding a dumbbell with a supine grip loaded to 80% of 1RM on the dominant side of the body. During execution, the back and head should remain in contact with a vertical wall, with the feet shoulder width apart and firmly planted on the floor. The bar is held with the dominant arm while the other arm remains in a neutral position close to the body. It is imperative to avoid any form of rocking or movement that would make it easier to maintain the position. The test officially begins when the bar is handed to the subject, who is already in the correct position, and ends as soon as the angle of the arm varies by more than five degrees from the starting position.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 25
To be included in the study, candidates had to be in good general health, with no medical conditions that could interfere with their ability to perform the test safely and effectively. In addition, to be considered trained, participants had to have performed 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities, on at least two days per week. Those who did not meet this standard were considered untrained.
Exclusion criteria included a history of surgery to the arm, shoulder, or nearby areas that could limit the ability to perform the test. The use of medications that affect muscle function or pain perception was also a reason for exclusion, so that the test results could not be influenced by external factors.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Task with verbal encouragement Isometric Task Endurance isometric exercise performed with verbal encouragement. Task without motivational feedback Isometric Task Task without motivational feedback. Task with music Isometric Task Endurance isometric exercise performed to selected music.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Triceps Brachii muscle fatigue 60 seconds time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal measured for Triceps Brachii muscle
Duration of the task 60 seconds task duration expressed in seconds
Biceps Brachii muscle fatigue 60 seconds time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal measured for Biceps Brachii muscle
Biceps Brachii activity 60 seconds time-course evolution of the amplitude (Root Mean Square \[microvolt\]) of the sEMG signal measured for Biceps Brachii muscle
Triceps Brachii activity 60 seconds time-course evolution of the amplitude (Root Mean Square \[microvolt\]) of the sEMG signal measured for Triceps Brachii muscle
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Università degli Studi di Genova
🇮🇹Genova, Italy