Contralateral Effects of Unilateral Isokinetic vs. Single-Leg Squat Training in Sedentary Women

Contralateral Effects of Unilateral Isokinetic vs. Single-Leg Squat Training on Strength, Proprioception, and Muscle Thickness in Sedentary Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the contralateral effects of unilateral training in sedentary women. Specifically, the study compares unilateral isokinetic training and single-leg squat training to determine their effects on strength, proprioception, and muscle thickness in both the trained and untrained lower extremities.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the training groups. The intervention will be applied to one lower limb only. Strength, proprioception, and muscle thickness will be assessed before and after the intervention period. The primary objective is to evaluate whether unilateral training induces cross-education effects in the contralateral limb.

The findings of this study may contribute to rehabilitation strategies by clarifying the potential benefits of unilateral exercise programs for improving neuromuscular performance and muscle morphology in sedentary individuals.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Strength; Proprioception
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Unilateral Isokinetic Training; Behavioral: Unilateral Single-Leg Squat Training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 47
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ankara
    • Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye), 06560
      • Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• female gender,
• no lower extremity problems in the last 6 months,
• not actively participating in sports

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of orthopedic surgery within the last 2 years,
• ongoing lower extremity pain, systemic disease that could prevent exercise,
• a neurological problems.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Unilateral Isokinetic Training; Participants in this group will receive unilateral isokinetic strength training applied to one lower extremity only. The contralateral limb will not receive any direct intervention.	Behavioral: Unilateral Isokinetic Training; Unilateral isokinetic strength training will be applied to one lower extremity using an isokinetic dynamometer. The training program will be performed according to the study protocol. The contralateral limb will not receive any direct intervention.
Experimental: Unilateral Single-Leg Squat Training; Participants in this group will perform unilateral single-leg squat training on one lower extremity only. The opposite limb will not receive any direct training.	Behavioral: Unilateral Single-Leg Squat Training; Participants will perform unilateral single-leg squat exercises on one lower extremity according to the study protocol. The opposite limb will not receive any direct training.
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group will not receive any exercise or training intervention during the study period and will continue their usual daily activities.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Muscle strength of the lower extremities will be assessed using isokinetic dynamometry to evaluate peak torque values in both the trained and contralateral limbs.	Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proprioception	Lower extremity proprioception will be evaluated using joint position sense assessment to determine proprioceptive accuracy in both limbs.	Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Muscle Thickness	Muscle thickness of selected thigh muscles will be measured using ultrasonography to assess morphological adaptations following unilateral training.	Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cagatay Muslum Gokdogan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 15, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 10, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): May 22, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 13, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 13, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: isokinetic training; contralateral training; single-leg squat; proprioception.
• Other Study ID Numbers: 13.11.2023-E.795767 (Other Identifier: gazi university)

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