Muscle Activity of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles by Surface Electromyography.

Muscle Activity of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles During a Specific Contraction Task Assessed by Surface Electromyography

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Lower Limb; Electromyography; Muscle Activity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Muscle contraction protocol for electromyographic assessment

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 120

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Raquel MA Dra. Raquel Mayordomo Acevedo, PhD; Phone Number: 927427000; Email: rmayordo@unex.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Cáceres
    • Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain, 10600
      • Centro Universitario de Plasencia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• 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.

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle activation, microvolts (μV)	Muscle activation (μV) as recorded by mDurance® sEMG system during the contraction protocol (soleus vs. gastrocnemius).	Baseline or Day 1. During a single assessment session (~30 minutes).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
RMS (root mean square) and peak EMG signal values (μV)	RMS and peak EMG signal values (μV): average muscle activity measured by RMS (root mean square) and maximum voluntary contraction by peak activation. Comparison of Medial vs. Lateral Gastrocnemius Activation. Comparison of Medial vs. Lateral Gastrocnemius Activation	Baseline or Day 1. During the same assessment session
Differences in muscle activity by contraction type (μV)	Differences in muscle activity by contraction type (μV): Effect of contraction type (isometric/concentric/eccentric) on muscle activity. Comparison of Medial vs. Lateral Gastrocnemius Activation	Baseline or Day 1. Immediately after the execution of each contraction type during the session
Activity differences by foot posture (pronated, neutral, supinated)	Muscle activation of the gastrocnemius and soleus will be compared based on foot posture (pronated, neutral, or supinated). This aims to identify whether foot type influences activation patterns.	Baseline or Day 1. Immediately after foot posture assessment during the same session
Correlation with physical activity level Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short version)	Correlation with physical activity level (IPAQ-short version): Correlation with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors (age, sex, BMI, activity level). Self-reported questionnaire assessing physical activity over the last 7 days. Physical activity is categorized as Low, Moderate, or High based on total MET-minutes/week. Sitting time is recorded separately as an indicator of sedentary behavior.	Baseline or Day 1. Collected at baseline before EMG assessment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Extremadura
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: María Victoria CM María Victoria Cáceres Madrid, PhD, Departamento de Enfermería. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura; Principal Investigator: Olga LR Olga López Ripado, MSc, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura; Principal Investigator: Alejando CP Alejandro Caña Pino, PhD, Departamento de Terapéutica Médico-Quirúrgica. Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional. Universidad de Extremadura; Principal Investigator: Marina FJ Fontán Jiménez, PhD, Departamento de Enfermería. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura; Study Director: Raquel MA Raquel Mayordomo Acevedo, PhD, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología. Centro Universitario de Plasencia. Universidad de Extremadura

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): May 1, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 1, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 150425

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No