Utility and Validity of a High-intensity, Intermittent Exercise Protocol

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to identify an exercise-induced fatigue protocol to mimic central and peripheral acute fatigue effects associated with participation in vigorous dynamic sports activities and to understand the expected central (cardiovascular) and peripheral (muscular) impact of this protocol.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Fatigue-related parameters (BORG, heart rate, blood lactate level, concentric/eccentric force of the quadriceps muscle) will be measured before and after different short-term high-intensity, intermittent exercise protocols.

Official Title
-----------------
The Utility and Validity of a High-intensity, Intermittent Exercise Protocol in Male Jumping Athletes

Conditions
-----------------
Fatigue

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Fatigue protocol


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Men ≥ 18 years Volley- and basketball, non-elite ≥ 3 times per week sports participation No acute or overuse low back/lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months Exclusion Criteria: Women <18 years >45 years other sports than volley- and basketball elite players <3 times per week sports participation acute or overuse low back/lower extremity injuries in the past 6 months

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Each participant will randomly be assigned to two different fatigue protocols, on separate days. The first protocol is a high-intensity, intermittent exercise protocol and will be performed until complete exhaustion. The second protocol is a time-based variant of the previous protocol and will be performed during 5 minutes.
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: All-out, high-intensity, intermittent exercise protocol<br> | Other: Fatigue protocol<br>* During the fatigue protocol, participants will sprint forward 5 m, cut at a 90° angle, sprint forward another 5 m, and backpedal 5 m. This activity will be repeated 4 times before participants will complete a series of hurdle activities. First, they will perform 2-legged jumps over 5 hurdles that are 30 cm high, turn, and repeat the jumps. Second, they will perform side-stepping exercises over the 5 hurdles. Third, they will complete four 5-m lateral shuffles.<br>|
| Experimental: 5 min, high-intensity, intermittent exercise protocol<br> | Other: Fatigue protocol<br>* During the fatigue protocol, participants will sprint forward 5 m, cut at a 90° angle, sprint forward another 5 m, and backpedal 5 m. This activity will be repeated 4 times before participants will complete a series of hurdle activities. First, they will perform 2-legged jumps over 5 hurdles that are 30 cm high, turn, and repeat the jumps. Second, they will perform side-stepping exercises over the 5 hurdles. Third, they will complete four 5-m lateral shuffles.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heart rate | Heart rate, expressed in beats per minute | This parameters will be continuously monitored 10 minutes before the start of the fatigue protocol until 30 minutes after completion of the protocol | 
| Isokinetic dynamometry | Isokinetic dynamometry of the quadriceps muscle | This parameter will be monitored 10 minutes before the start of the fatigue protocol | 
| Isokinetic dynamometry | Isokinetic dynamometry of the quadriceps muscle | This parameter will be monitored immediately after completion of the protocol | 
| Isokinetic dynamometry | Isokinetic dynamometry of the quadriceps muscle | This parameter will be monitored 15 minutes after completion of the protocol | 
| Isokinetic dynamometry | Isokinetic dynamometry of the quadriceps muscle | This parameter will be monitored 30 minutes after completion of the protocol | 
| Blood lactate level | Blood lactate level, expressed in millimol per liter | This parameters will be monitored 10 minutes before the start of the fatigue protocol | 
| Blood lactate level | Blood lactate level, expressed in millimol per liter | This parameters will be monitored 10 minutes after completion of the protocol | 
| BORG | BORG-score, indicating the rate of perceived exertion for legs and breathlessness | This parameters will be continuously monitored 10 minutes before the start of the fatigue protocol until 30 minutes after completion of the protocol | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Circuit time | Time to perform the fatigue protocol | Time will be recorded immediately after completion of the fatigue protocol |