Clinical trial NCT06953401: Muscle Activity of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles by Surface Electromyography.
Official title: Muscle Activity of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles During a Specific Contraction Task Assessed by Surface Electromyography
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Conditions: Muscle Activity
Electromyography
Lower Limb
Lead sponsor: University of Extremadura
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-01
Enrollment: 120
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The study population will consist of healthy young adults enrolled in undergraduate programs at the Centro Universitario de Plasencia, University of Extremadura (Spain). Participants will be recruited through internal communication channels at the university. All participants will voluntarily agree to take part in the study and sign an informed consent form. Eligibility criteria include individuals aged 18 to 30 years, with no history of recent musculoskeletal injuries or surgeries in the lower limbs, and able to perform the required physical tasks without restriction. Subjects with foot postural alterations will also be included for later comparison with subjects without foot postural alterations.

Brief summary: This cross-sectional, comparative study aims to evaluate and compare the surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the gastrocnemius (medial and lateral) and soleus muscles during static and dynamic contraction tasks. Participants will perform three tests-resting state, isometric, concentric, and eccentric contraction, and dynamic gait-with bilateral measurements. A subgroup analysis will examine muscle activity variations based on foot posture, using the Foot Posture Index (FPI). The study uses the validated mDurance® sEMG system to obtain objective data under controlled lab conditions. The findings will enhance understanding of the functional role of each muscle and could inform rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 30 years.
* No history of severe musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limbs.
* No recent surgery or injury in the last 6 months.
* No dermatological conditions affecting electrode placement.
* Not allergic to adhesives.
* Ability to perform the task without limitation.

  •. No high-intensity exercise in the 12 hours before testing
* Ability to provide informed consent and complete the assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Reduced lower limb mobility.
* Neuromuscular or skeletal conditions affecting the calf region.
* Intense physical activity 12 hours before testing.
* Lack of informed consent.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Muscle activation, microvolts (μV)
timeFrame: Baseline or Day 1. During a single assessment session (~30 minutes).
Secondary outcomes:
measure: RMS (root mean square) and peak EMG signal values (μV)
timeFrame: Baseline or Day 1. During the same assessment session
measure: Differences in muscle activity by contraction type (μV)
timeFrame: Baseline or Day 1. Immediately after the execution of each contraction type during the session
measure: Activity differences by foot posture (pronated, neutral, supinated)
timeFrame: Baseline or Day 1. Immediately after foot posture assessment during the same session
measure: Correlation with physical activity level Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short version)
timeFrame: Baseline or Day 1. Collected at baseline before EMG assessment
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Plasencia
country: Spain
facility: Centro Universitario de Plasencia
state: Cáceres
Study officials:
affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura
name: María Victoria CM María Victoria Cáceres Madrid, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura
name: Olga LR Olga López Ripado, MSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Departamento de Terapéutica Médico-Quirúrgica. Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional. Universidad de Extremadura
name: Alejando CP Alejandro Caña Pino, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura
name: Marina FJ Fontán Jiménez, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura
name: Raquel MA Raquel Mayordomo Acevedo, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
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