Quantifying the Trainability of Peripheral Nerve Function in Young and Older Adults.

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Nerve Degeneration; Healthy Aging
• Interventions: Other: Resistance Training

• Registration Number: NCT06614556
• Lead Sponsor: Oklahoma State University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this project is to identify the effects of hand grip resistance training on nerve speed of the hand muscles and to quantify whether age plays a role in those effects. Two groups (young and older adults) underwent a 4-week resistance training intervention with nerve conduction velocity measured before and after. There were also two control groups (young and older adults) who performed the testing 4 weeks apart, but did not engage in the intervention.

Detailed Description

Studies have shown that nerve speed slows with advancing age. As a result, slower nerves may result in slower movement speed and can alter response time. The investigators propose that a resistance training intervention may elicit positive adaptations to the nerves. The purpose of this project is to identify the effects of hand grip resistance training on nerve speed of the hand muscles and to quantify whether age plays a role in those effects. Two groups (young and older adults) underwent a 4-week, at-home, resistance training intervention with nerve conduction velocity (m/s) measured before and after. There were also two control groups (young and older adults) who performed the testing 4 weeks apart, but did not engage in the intervention. Other outcome measures included nerve size, via ultrasound, maximal handgrip strength, and hand dexterity.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-09-20
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-18
• Study Completion: 2023-07-18
• Status Verified: 2024-09
• Study First Submitted: 2024-09-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-09-23
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-09-23
• Study First Posted: 2024-09-26
• Last Update Posted: 2024-09-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 59

Inclusion Criteria

• Apparently healthy adults 18 - 100 years old.

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Exclusion Criteria

• If you have been notified by a physician to refrain from exercise due to cardiovascular issues.
• Known orthopedic or neuromuscular limitations or illness of the upper extremities.
• Known neuromuscular disorders.
• Individuals that are experiencing a fever (> 100.4° F) or have identified as symptomatic on the COVID-19 screening questionnaire may not participate at this time.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Young Training Group	Resistance Training	Ages 18-35. Performed 4 weeks of an at-home, hand grip resistance training intervention.
Older Training Group	Resistance Training	Ages 60+. Performed 4 weeks of an at-home, hand grip resistance training intervention.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Motor nerve conduction velocity (m/s)	Before and after 4 weeks of training (or just 4 weeks, for controls)	Conduction velocity of the median nerve, via nerve stimulation, as measured through EMG at the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nerve cross-sectional area (mm^2)	Before and after 4 weeks of training (or just 4 weeks, for controls)	The area within the visible borders of the nerve, as seen and measured via ultrasound
Maximal strength (kg)	Before and after 4 weeks of training (or just 4 weeks, for controls)	Maximal handgrip strength using a handgrip dynamometer
Hand motor dexterity (seconds)	Before and after 4 weeks of training (or just 4 weeks, for controls)	A timed Minnesota manual dexterity task

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory; 🇺🇸 Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States