Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of the Hamstring Muscle Group in Female.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this clinical trial is to precise the impact of menstrual cycle and physical activity on the hamstrings muscle function in healthy active women. The main question it aims to answer is : is there a moment of the menstrual cycle when the muscle is better able to recover from a strenuous exercise ? Three appointments will be conducted to evaluate the hamstring muscles at difference moments of the menstrual cycle. Echographic and maximal force production measures will be done. Researchers will compare these results with a group taking oral contraceptives.

Official Title
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Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of the Hamstring Muscle Group in Female Athletes: Impact of the Menstrual Cycle and Adaptations to Exercise.

Conditions
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Menstrual Cycle, Oral Contraceptive Use

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Hamstring muscles function assessment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Subject aged between 18 and 35 years. Subjects who practice at least 2 hours of sport per week with a competitive aim. Subject who has not presented any musculo-tendinous pathology to the hamstrings in the last 6 months. Subject with no musculoarticular pathology having a prolonged (more than 2 weeks) interruption of sports activities in the last 2 years. Subject with no muscular pain or pathology currently. Subject with no known cardiac disorders or family history that could present a risk known family history that could present a risk in case of intense physical effort. physical exertion. Subjects not taking any medication, which in the opinion of the that, in the opinion of the coordinating investigator, may interfere with the evaluation of the study criteria. Subject able and willing to comply with the protocol and agreeing to give written informed consent. Subject affiliated or benefiting from a Social Security plan. Menstrual cycle group: Subject whose last 3 menstrual cycles are of a regular duration (± 4 days maximum difference between 2 consecutive menstrual cycles). Subject whose last 3 menstrual cycles are of a duration between 24 and 32 days (including milestones). Absence of any contraceptive method likely to modulate the hormonal variations linked to the menstrual cycle. hormonal variations related to the menstrual cycle, during the duration of the duration of the protocol and during the last 6 months after the participant's inclusion. the participant. Mechanical contraception such as the diaphragm is permitted. Oral contraceptive group: - Taking oral contraception, 2nd generation monophasic pill estrogen-progestin pill (Optilova®, Optidril®, Leeloo®, Minidril®, Ludeal®, Zikiale®, Lovavulo®, Lovapharm®) for at least 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with a medical contraindication to intense physical activity. Subject with a positive pregnancy test result. Subject with a medical or surgical history deemed by the coordinating investigator as being incompatible with the study. Subjects under guardianship. Subjects in a period of exclusion from another study. Decision of the volunteer, whatever the reason. Adverse event or effect affecting the safety of the volunteer in the opinion of the coordinating investigator. Major deviation from the protocol. Illness or injury interfering with the normal course of the protocol.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

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: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Menstrual cycle group<br>Women who are not currently taking any form of hormonal contraception and who present a regular menstrual cycle. | Diagnostic Test: Hamstring muscles function assessment<br>* Ultrasound echographic evaluation of the hamstring muscles during stretching and voluntary contractions, before and after a strenuous physical activity.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Oral contraceptive group<br>Women taking a second-generation oral contraceptive estrogen-progestogen pill. | Diagnostic Test: Hamstring muscles function assessment<br>* Ultrasound echographic evaluation of the hamstring muscles during stretching and voluntary contractions, before and after a strenuous physical activity.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hamstring muscles shear wave speed | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring muscles shear wave speed, as measured by ultrasound elastography | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maximal voluntary force production | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in maximal voluntary isometric hamstrings force production, as measured by an isokinetic dynamometer | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Hamstring muscles thickness | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring muscles thickness, as measured by ultrasound echography. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Hamstring muscles length of fascicles | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring muscles fascicles' length, as measured by ultrasound echography. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Hamstring muscles pennation angle | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring muscles pennation angle, as measured by ultrasound echography. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Hamstring muscles cross sectional area | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring muscles cross sectional area, as measured by ultrasound echography. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Hamstring tendons length | Differences according to menstrual cycle phase in hamstring tendons length, as measured by ultrasound echography. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 
| Maximal knee joint range of motion | Measure of the volunteer maximal knee range of motion, the maximum being defined by the volunteer as the greatest hip/leg angle reachable without feeling pain. The process is slowly conducted on an isokinetic ergometer by extending the knee joint (2°/s) until the volunteer reaches her maximal range of motion, at which point the movement is stopped and a security is placed. | Length of a menstrual cycle (around on 28 day average) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Menstrual cycle, Oral contraception, Muscle mechanical properties, shear wave elastography, Hamstrings