Motor Imagery and Muscle Architecture

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to examine the effects of plyometric training on biceps femoris longus (BFl) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture in healthy football players. Individuals will be randomly placed into training and control groups. Measurements of muscle architecture will be taken bilaterally from BFl and VL muscles by means of an ultrasound device. Functional performance will be evaluated with the single leg jump test. Following the initial evaluations, individuals in the training group will receive plyometric training. Evaluations of muscle architecture and functional performance will be taken again from the individuals in the training and control groups at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. The received ultrasound images will be calculated through the MicroDicom software. In-group and between-group comparisons will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program and appropriate tests.

Detailed Description
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The aim of this study is to examine the effects of plyometric training on biceps femoris longus (BFl) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture (fiber length, penation angle and muscle thickness) in healthy football players. Individuals will be randomly placed into two different groups, the training group and the control group. Imagery ability, self-efficacy and motivation will be evaluated with various questionnaires and scales in order to compare the homogeneity of the groups. Measurements of muscle architecture will be taken bilaterally from BFl and VL muscles by means of an ultrasound device. Functional performance will be evaluated with the single leg jump test. Following the initial evaluations, individuals in the training group will receive plyometric training consisting of ten different exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. In this training, individuals will not participate in a real plyometric training. Volunteers will watch videos to be prepared (action observation) and imagine them performing those exercises (motor imagery). All trainings will be given on the basis of telerehabilitation via distance education tools. Cognitive fatigue at the beginning and end of the session; at the end of each session, the technical quality and efficiency of the training will be evaluated. Evaluations of muscle architecture and functional performance will be taken again from the individuals in the control and training groups at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. The received ultrasound images will be calculated through the MicroDicom software. In-group and between-group comparisons will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program and appropriate tests.

Official Title
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The Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation-Based Plyometric Training on Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Femoris Muscle Architectures of Adolescent Football Players

Conditions
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Muscle Architecture

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Plyometric Exercise
* Other: Football Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Be in the 12-19 age range Being actively playing football as licensed Exclusion Criteria: Those who have undergone lower extremity surgery Those with a history of second and third degree strain type injuries in the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups Those with a history of injury to the lower extremity in the last two years Those with a history of congenital, neurological, orthopedic, rheumatological and cardiopulmonary pathologies or anomalies, Those with a diagnosis of systemic disease (diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid diseases, etc.) Those with acute infection and pain Those with a diagnosis of joint instability Those with a body mass index of 30 and above Those who received energy supplements or ergogenic aids during the study or during the 6-month period before the study Those who do not follow the research protocol

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 19 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Parallel group randomized controlled trial
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Plyometric Training Group<br>Individuals in the plyometric training group will receive plyometric training. In this training, individuals will not participate in a real plyometric training. Volunteers will watch videos to be prepared (action observation) and imagine them performing those exercises (motor imagery). All trainings will be given on the basis of telerehabilitation via distance education tools. | Other: Plyometric Exercise<br>* Plyometric training consisting of ten different exercises [vertical unilateral and bilateral counter movement jump, horizontal unilateral and bilateral counter movement jump, drop jump (30 cm), squat jump, step-hop (20 cm), 180 degree rotation in transverse plane, frontal plane hurdle jump (20 cm) and sagittal plane hurdle jump (20 cm)] for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Individuals will not participate in a real plyometric training. Volunteers will watch videos to be prepared (action observation) and imagine them performing those exercises (motor imagery)<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control Group<br>Athletes in this group will continue their routine training programs like the athletes in the plyometric training group. | Other: Football Training<br>* Routine football trainings<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle Architecture Change-1 | Fiber length of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris longus muscles | Before, at the end of the fourth week and the eighth week | 
| Muscle Architecture Change-2 | Pennation angle of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris longus muscles | Before, at the end of the fourth week and the eighth week | 
| Muscle Architecture Change-3 | Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris longus muscles | Before, at the end of the fourth week and the eighth week | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Functional Performance Change-1 | Single leg jump distance | Before, at the end of the fourth week and the eighth week | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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motor imagery, action observation, plyometric training, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis, muscle architecture, fiber length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, function, single leg jump