Clinical trial NCT06069440: Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Swimmers
Official title: Analysis of Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Long Distance Swimmers
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy
Keywords: muscle fatigue
Neuromuscular Strategy
performance
sEMG
swimming
Lead sponsor: Universita degli Studi di Genova
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-10-05
Enrollment: 23
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Maximum age (years): 24
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: During a submaximal task, gradual muscle fatigue occurs, which inevitably results in a decline in performance (mechanical failure). Elite athletes are known to employ unconscious compensatory strategies during fatiguing submaximal tasks in an attempt to delay the onset of mechanical failure as long as possible.

The purpose of this study was to gain valuable insight into the strategies used by elite swimmers to cope with mechanical failure. Twenty-two swimmers were subjected to a swim test consisting of swimming as long as possible at a predetermined and controlled pace. A light strip positioned at the bottom of the pool allows athletes to get feedback on which gait to keep. The kinematics (stroke rate, stroke length, and efficiency index) and electrical activity of 10 muscle groups were analyzed and compared at the beginning of the test (non-fatiguing conditions), just before the athlete lost the ability to maintain the predetermined pace (pre-mechanical failure), and after the athlete lost the ability to maintain the pace (mechanical failure). It is hypothesized that as fatigue becomes more pronounced and the point of inability to maintain a predetermined speed is approached, increased EMG activity will occur in key muscles while other muscle groups may show more obvious signs of fatigue. In addition, changes in the rhythm and coordination of upper limb movements may occur.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Middle- or long-distance swimmer specializing in front crawl
2. At least 3 years of experience in international competition
3. Daily use of flashing light for pace control in aerobic, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption training.

Exclusion Criteria:

1) Presence of muscle pain or soreness that could prevent the athlete from performing at their best

Primary outcomes:
measure: Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Biceps Brachii muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Deltoideus Lateralis muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Superior Trapezius muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Erector Spinae muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Rectus Femoris muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Biceps Femoris muscle activity
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Kinematic parameters
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Kinematic parameters
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Biceps Brachii muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Deltoideus Lateralis muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Latissimus Dorsi muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Superior Trapezius muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Erector Spinae muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Rectus Femoris muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
measure: Biceps Femoris muscle fatigue
timeFrame: up to 10 minutes
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Genova
country: Italy
facility: Università degli Studi di Genova
Study officials:
References: