The Effect of Different Exercise Approaches on Passive Mechanical Properties of Hamstring and Quadriceps Muscles, Strength and Jumping Performance

January 30, 2025 updated by: Selim Mahmut GÜNAY, Uludag University
The mechanical characteristics play a crucial role in sustaining daily life activities and facilitating participation in sport activities and exercises demanding a diverse range of motion. Furthermore, it is postulated that the mechanical composition of the muscle could impact the minimal energy expenditure, perceived exertion, and risk of injury during physical activities. This study aims to examine the effects of various exercise approaches, including aerobic exercise, strength training, and whole-body vibration, on the passive mechanical properties of muscle tissue.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Exercise applications are utilized in the maintenance of functional status, enhancement of performance, and prevention of injuries in healthy individuals while also serving therapeutic purposes in pathological conditions. Exercise programs implemented in both healthy individuals and those with disabilities have the potential to offer clinical and functional benefits, leading to physiological changes and mechanical adaptations within the muscle.The enhancement of muscle strength, endurance, and functional performance is observed in accordance with the individuals' physical fitness level and the type of exercise program undertaken. One additional determinant influencing performance is the passive mechanical properties of the muscle. The phrase "passive mechanical properties" denotes the mechanical properties exhibited by skeletal muscles in a state of quiescence, i.e., devoid of voluntary contraction. The passive mechanical properties of muscle encompass properties such as muscle tone, stiffness, thickness, and elasticity. Furthermore, it is postulated that the mechanical composition of the muscle could impact the minimal energy expenditure, perceived exertion, and risk of injury during physical activities. When implemented in either isolated or combined programs, exercises focusing on strengthening, stretching, and aerobic activities can have an impact on muscle mechanics.8,9 Within scholarly literature, there exist investigations that suggest a limited impact on the mechanical properties of muscles following exercise, alongside findings that demonstrate consistent exercise does not induce alterations in muscle stiffness.

Within academic discourse, it is established that power, force, and movement speed represent pivotal elements in elucidating superior performance at an advanced level. Physical fitness parameters, as demonstrated determinants of performance, exhibit direct correlation with muscle structure. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of various exercise approaches, including aerobic, strength training, and whole-body vibration, on passive mechanical properties of muscle tissue. Additionally, the study sought to assess how potential alterations in muscle mechanics might manifest in terms of performance outcomes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

40

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Nilüfer
      • Bursa, Nilüfer, Turkey
        • Bursa Uludağ University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Physically healthy and able to engage in the exercise program without any impediments.
  • Voluntary participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Prior surgical interventions.
  • Neuromuscular or neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Heart failure.
  • Cardiac stents.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Participants who do not meet the above criteria, even if their current health status permits participation in exercise activities.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Whole Body Vibration Exercise
Whole body vibration exercises were conducted utilizing a specialized exercise platform. The participants underwent a prescribed exercise protocol involving both static and dynamic exercises on the designated platform. Specifically, static squats at a 30º angle, dynamic deep squats ranging from 30 to 60º, toe raises, weight transfer maneuvers during squats, as well as static and dynamic squat exercises performed unilaterally were implemented as part of the program. Each exercise was performed for 30-50 s with a frequency ranging from 30-45 Hz and an amplitude of 2 mm. The exercise regimen was structured to comprise three sets, with a designated three-minute inter-set rest interval. Physical exercise sessions were conducted on a weekly basis, with a duration ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. The intensity and duration of the exercises were progressively adjusted based on the adherence.
The participants underwent a prescribed exercise protocol involving both static and dynamic exercises on the designated platform. Specifically, static squats at a 30º angle, dynamic deep squats ranging from 30 to 60º, toe raises, weight transfer maneuvers during squats, as well as static and dynamic squat exercises performed unilaterally were implemented as part of the program
Other Names:
  • WHole Body Vibration
Experimental: Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise group were directed to engage in running activity on a conventional treadmill. The participants engaged in aerobic exercise, specifically moderate-to-high-intensity running at 65-80% of their maximal heart rate, for durations of 30-45 minutes per session, three times weekly. Heart rate was monitored with a portable pulse oximetry device.
The participants assigned to the aerobic exercise group were directed to engage in running activity on a conventional treadmill. The participants engaged in aerobic exercise, specifically moderate-to-high-intensity running at 65-80% of their maximal heart rate, for durations of 30-45 minutes per session, three times weekly. Heart rate was monitored with a portable pulse oximetry device.
Experimental: Strengthening Exercise
Strengthening exercise group, participants engaged in various lower extremity strengthening activities such as straight leg raises, abduction and adduction movements, knee flexion-extension, ankle plantar-dorsiflexion exercises. These exercises were performed both on a bed and in standing positions, utilizing resistance exercise bands.
Strengthening group, participants engaged in various lower extremity strengthening activities such as straight leg raises, abduction and adduction movements, knee flexion-extension, ankle plantar-dorsiflexion exercises. These exercises were performed both on a bed and in standing positions, utilizing resistance exercise bands.
No Intervention: Control Group
The participants continued their daily lives without any exercise practice until the end of the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Baseline and at Week 4
Isokinetic testing and rehabilitation systems were utilized to assess muscle strength. An assessment was conducted on the concentric and eccentric forces exerted on the quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles in the dominant lower extremity. The assessment of concentric strength was conducted within the knee flexion range of 0-90 degrees, while the evaluation of eccentric strength was undertaken in the knee flexion range of 10-90 degrees at a velocity of 60º/sec. The peak torque values acquired from the experiment were utilized as the basis for the analysis.
Baseline and at Week 4
Horizontal Jump
Time Frame: Baseline and at Week 4
Test was conducted unilaterally on the dominant lower extremity. Horizontal jump was repeated three times and the average of the measurement results was recorded.
Baseline and at Week 4
Muscle Stiffness
Time Frame: Baseline and at Week 4
Changes in muscle stiffness were evaluated through shear wave elastography. The alterations in the stiffness properties of the muscle were documented utilizing an ultrasound device. Measurements were conducted on the dominant lower extremity to evaluate alterations in the muscle stiffness of the quadriceps muscles (vastus medialis obliquus, rectus femoris) and hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus).
Baseline and at Week 4
Muscle Thickness
Time Frame: Baseline and at Week 4
Changes in muscle thickness were evaluated through shear wave elastography. The alterations in the thickness properties of the muscle were documented utilizing an ultrasound device. Measurements were conducted on the dominant lower extremity to evaluate alterations in the muscle thickness of the quadriceps muscles (vastus medialis obliquus, rectus femoris) and hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus).
Baseline and at Week 4

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 10, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 15, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

January 5, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 26, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 30, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 30, 2025

Last Verified

January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2019-19/21

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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