Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Swimmers

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Other: Swimming Fatigue Task

• Registration Number: NCT06069440
• Lead Sponsor: Universita degli Studi di Genova

Brief Summary

During a submaximal task, gradual muscle fatigue occurs, which inevitably results in a decline in performance (mechanical failure). Elite athletes are known to employ unconscious compensatory strategies during fatiguing submaximal tasks in an attempt to delay the onset of mechanical failure as long as possible.

The purpose of this study was to gain valuable insight into the strategies used by elite swimmers to cope with mechanical failure. Twenty-two swimmers were subjected to a swim test consisting of swimming as long as possible at a predetermined and controlled pace. A light strip positioned at the bottom of the pool allows athletes to get feedback on which gait to keep. The kinematics (stroke rate, stroke length, and efficiency index) and electrical activity of 10 muscle groups were analyzed and compared at the beginning of the test (non-fatiguing conditions), just before the athlete lost the ability to maintain the predetermined pace (pre-mechanical failure), and after the athlete lost the ability to maintain the pace (mechanical failure). It is hypothesized that as fatigue becomes more pronounced and the point of inability to maintain a predetermined speed is approached, increased EMG activity will occur in key muscles while other muscle groups may show more obvious signs of fatigue. In addition, changes in the rhythm and coordination of upper limb movements may occur.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-03-01
• Study Completion: 2023-08-01
• Study First Submitted: 2023-09-26
• Status Verified: 2023-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-10-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-10-04
• Study First Posted: 2023-10-05
• Last Update Posted: 2023-10-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 23

Inclusion Criteria

1. Middle- or long-distance swimmer specializing in front crawl
2. At least 3 years of experience in international competition
3. Daily use of flashing light for pace control in aerobic, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption training.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Presence of muscle pain or soreness that could prevent the athlete from performing at their best

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
swimmers	Swimming Fatigue Task	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Erector Spinae muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Rectus Femoris muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Biceps Brachii muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Deltoideus Lateralis muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Superior Trapezius muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Biceps Femoris muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle activity	up to 10 minutes	Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)
Kinematic parameters	up to 10 minutes	stroke length (distance traveled during each stroke cycle))

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Biceps Brachii muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Deltoideus Lateralis muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Biceps Femoris muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Superior Trapezius muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Latissimus Dorsi muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Erector Spinae muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal
Rectus Femoris muscle fatigue	up to 10 minutes	time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF \[Hz\]) of the sEMG signal

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Università degli Studi di Genova; 🇮🇹 Genova, Italy