MedPath

Effects of Mode of Contraction on Neuromuscular Fatigue

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Volunteers
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: 6 Minutes Walk Test
Behavioral: Mini Mental State Examination
Diagnostic Test: Timed up and go
Diagnostic Test: Isokinetic Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)
Diagnostic Test: Cycloergometer body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)
Diagnostic Test: Isometric BW-QIF Test (Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test)
Registration Number
NCT04516538
Lead Sponsor
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne
Brief Summary

Aging is associated with multiple deteriorations of the neuromuscular system. Given the increase in life expectancy, the investigators can now distinguish old adults (\>60 years old) who conserve their neuromuscular capacities with regular physical activity and very old adults (\>80 years old) who suffer from an inexorable decline, even if the number of octogenarians and their quality of life are progressively increasing. However, the most part of the literature on fatigue and neuromuscular capacity with aging focused on isometric tasks. The results showed a significant decrease in maximal force production capacity and a greater resistance to fatigue for old people compared to the young population. When fatigue is induced trough dynamic contractions, greater fatigability was observed in old adults compared to young adults. Investigations performed on the population aged over 80 years old are rare, showing greater fatigability in octogenarians than old men (aged 60-80 years old) during isometric tasks. The knowledge about the effects of dynamic contractions in this population are limited, and performed uniquely in single leg isokinetic mode. Evaluations that require the use of both legs and higher muscle mass involved in the task (cycloergometer) are needed. Understanding neuromuscular fatigue and fatigability across different exercise modalities is necessary to set adapted physical activity programs aimed to maintain autonomy in older individuals.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
65
Inclusion Criteria
  • Belong to a defined age group: young (18 to 35 years old inclusive), old (60 to 80 years old inclusive) and very old (81 to 95 years old inclusive),
  • Signed written consent form
  • Being affiliated to social security
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pathology or surgery resulting in a locomotor disorder, within 6 months prior to the study,
  • Chronic neurological, motor or psychological pathologies
  • Use of neuro-active substances likely to alter cortico-spinal excitability (hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropic drugs, muscle relaxants) for the duration of the study.
  • Contraindication to magnetic stimulation:
  • Cardiac or respiratory insufficiency.
  • Cardiac pacemaker.
  • Cardiac valve wear and serious cardiovascular diseases.
  • Presence of prosthetic material or ferromagnetic foreign bodies in the head.
  • Presence of cochlear implants or ocular prosthetic material.
  • History of neurosurgical interventions.
  • Neurological diseases that may affect brain structures and cognitive abilities (e.g., intracranial tumour, multiple sclerosis, history of stroke or traumatic brain injury).
  • History of comitiality, contralateral knee pathology or pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Mini Mental State Examination < 20

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Young peopleTimed up and goMen or Women under 35 years old
Young peopleCycloergometer body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women under 35 years old
Old people6 Minutes Walk TestMen or Women between 60 and 80 years old
Young people6 Minutes Walk TestMen or Women under 35 years old
Young peopleIsokinetic Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women under 35 years old
Old peopleTimed up and goMen or Women between 60 and 80 years old
Old peopleCycloergometer body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women between 60 and 80 years old
Very old peopleCycloergometer body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women over 80 years old
Very old peopleIsometric BW-QIF Test (Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test)Men or Women over 80 years old
Young peopleIsometric BW-QIF Test (Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test)Men or Women under 35 years old
Old peopleIsokinetic Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women between 60 and 80 years old
Very old people6 Minutes Walk TestMen or Women over 80 years old
Old peopleIsometric BW-QIF Test (Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test)Men or Women between 60 and 80 years old
Very old peopleMini Mental State ExaminationMen or Women over 80 years old
Very old peopleIsokinetic Body weight-based quadriceps intermittent fatigue test (BW-QIF Test)Men or Women over 80 years old
Very old peopleTimed up and goMen or Women over 80 years old
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%) - all participantsImmediately after pedalling on an ergocycle

The measurement of the maximum voluntary contraction is carried out at rest with the instruction to contract the extensor muscles of the knee as hard as possible by pushing against a fixed pedal. This force is measured by an isokinetic ergometer.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%) - 18-35 years old participantsBefore and immediately after concentric isokinetic contractions

The measurement of the maximum voluntary contraction is carried out at rest with the instruction to contract the extensor muscles of the knee as hard as possible by pushing against a fixed pedal. This force is measured by an isokinetic ergometer.

Percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%) - 60-80 years old participantsBefore and immediately after concentric isokinetic contractions

The measurement of the maximum voluntary contraction is carried out at rest with the instruction to contract the extensor muscles of the knee as hard as possible by pushing against a fixed pedal. This force is measured by an isokinetic ergometer.

Percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%) - more than 80 years old participantsBefore and immediately after concentric isokinetic contractions

The measurement of the maximum voluntary contraction is carried out at rest with the instruction to contract the extensor muscles of the knee as hard as possible by pushing against a fixed pedal. This force is measured by an isokinetic ergometer.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHU de Saint-Etienne

🇫🇷

Saint-Étienne, France

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath