Effect of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation of the Transversus Abdominis on the Force-Velocity Profile During the Squat Performance in Crossfit Practitioners.
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 42
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Mean Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
研究概览
简要总结
This randomized controlled blinded clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) targeting the innervation of the transversus abdominis muscle on squat performance in CrossFit practitioners.
The transversus abdominis is a deep trunk muscle that contributes to lumbopelvic stability and force transmission during functional and athletic movements. Previous research suggests that improving neuromuscular activation of the trunk musculature may enhance movement efficiency and performance during resistance exercises. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation is a minimally invasive technique that applies electrical stimulation through a needle placed close to a peripheral nerve under ultrasound guidance, with the aim of modulating neuromuscular function.
Healthy male and female CrossFit practitioners aged 18 to 60 years, with at least one year of training experience, will participate in the study. Participants will undergo an initial ultrasound assessment of transversus abdominis activation to classify and distribute the sample into groups. In a second session, mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and velocity loss during squat performance will be assessed using a linear velocity transducer. Participants will perform 3 sets of 2 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM).
Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves, or a sham group receiving needle insertion without electrical stimulation. The intervention will consist of a TENS-type current applied at 10 Hz for 10 cycles of 10 seconds. Squat performance variables will be reassessed immediately after the intervention.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether US-guided percutaneous neuromodulation can acutely improve squat performance in trained CrossFit practitioners. The study hypothesis is that participants receiving active neuromodulation will demonstrate greater improvements in squat execution velocity and lower velocity loss compared with participants receiving the sham intervention.
详细描述
CrossFit training requires the integration of strength, power, trunk stability, and efficient force transmission during complex multi-joint movements. The back squat is one of the most frequently used exercises in CrossFit and is commonly applied to assess lower-limb performance through force-velocity profiling. Variables such as mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and velocity loss between sets provide relevant information regarding neuromuscular performance and fatigue resistance.
The transversus abdominis is a deep abdominal muscle involved in trunk stabilization and lumbopelvic control. Adequate activation of this muscle may contribute to improved force transmission between the lower and upper extremities during strength exercises. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (UGPNM) is an invasive physiotherapy technique that delivers electrical stimulation through a needle placed near a peripheral nerve under ultrasound guidance. This intervention has been proposed as a method to modulate neuromuscular function and potentially enhance motor performance.
Despite the increasing use of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation in clinical and sports settings, evidence regarding its immediate effects on sport performance variables remains limited. In particular, the influence of neuromodulation targeting the innervation of the transversus abdominis on force-velocity profile characteristics during the squat has not been thoroughly investigated.
The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the immediate effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the nerves supplying the transversus abdominis on mean velocity during the back squat in CrossFit practitioners. Secondary outcomes include mean propulsive velocity, fatigue resistance assessed through velocity loss between sets, perceived exertion, and potential differences in response according to baseline transversus abdominis activation capacity.
A total of 42 healthy CrossFit practitioners, both male and female, aged 18 to 60 years with at least one year of training experience, will be recruited. During baseline assessment, participants will undergo ultrasound evaluation of the transversus abdominis muscle at rest and during voluntary contraction. Muscle thickness will be measured in both conditions, and the percentage of activation will be calculated based on the relative change in thickness. Participants will then be classified into higher and lower activation subgroups according to the median value of transversus abdominis activation.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Other
- 盲法
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 60 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age between 18 and 60 years
- •At least 1 year of CrossFit training experience
- •Training frequency between 2 and 6 sessions per week
排除标准
- •Belonephobia (fear of needles)
- •Presence of cardiac conditions or implanted cardiac devices (e.g., pacemaker)
- •Pregnancy
- •Active oncological process
- •Skin conditions or lesions in the intervention area
- •Neurological or neurosensory disorders
- •Current febrile condition
- •Recent use of antibiotics
- •Treatment with anticoagulant medication
- •Use of medications that may affect physical performance
- •Autoimmune diseases or use of immunosuppressive therapy
- •Active lumbar or abdominal pathology
- •Recent lumbar surgery or operations related to the intervention area
- •Active musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting squat technique or -performance
- •Undiagnosed pain affecting execution of the sporting movement.
研究组 & 干预措施
ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation
The patients will receive ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves using electrical stimulation at 10 Hz in 10-second cycles.
干预措施: ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (Other)
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (sham)
The patients will receive a sham ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation procedure involving identical needle insertion under ultrasound guidance without electrical stimulation
干预措施: ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (sham) (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Mean Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
时间窗: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).
Mean velocity will be measured using a linear position transducer attached to the barbell during the back squat exercise. This device records bar displacement over time and allows calculation of bar velocity during the concentric phase of each repetition. The mean velocity of each repetition will be recorded, and the average across repetitions and sets will be used for analysis.
次要结局
- Mean Propulsive Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)(Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).)
- Velocity Loss Between Sets during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)(Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).)
- Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)(Baseline assessment (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session), 1 week after the intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention.)
- Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle(Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).)
研究者
Paco Navarro Pastor
Physiotherapist
CEU San Pablo University