Effects of Gastrocnemius Fatigue on Muscle Elasticity and Jumping

May 19, 2026 updated by: Yasemin Şahbaz, University of Beykent

Investigation of the Effects of Gastrocnemius Muscle Fatigue on Muscle Elastic Properties and Jump Performance

This study investigates the acute and 24-hour recovery effects of localized muscle fatigue on the viscoelastic properties of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle and vertical jump performance. The research aims to quantify the changes in muscle stiffness, tone, and elasticity immediately after a standardized fatigue protocol and to monitor the recovery of these parameters 24 hours later. Additionally, the study evaluates the impact of fatigue on explosive power, measured by countermovement jump (CMJ) height, across these time points.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Participants undergo a structured experimental procedure to evaluate the changes across three time points:

Baseline Assessment: Passive muscle tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (logarithmic decrement) of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) are measured using the MyotonPRO device. Initial vertical jump height is determined through countermovement jump (CMJ) tests.

Fatigue Protocol & Acute Assessment: Participants perform standardized standing calf raises until task failure. Immediately following the protocol, MG myotonometric properties and CMJ performance are re-measured to determine the acute fatigue-induced changes.

24-Hour Follow-up: Participants return to the laboratory exactly 24 hours later. All measurements (MyotonPRO and CMJ) are repeated to assess the return to baseline levels and the recovery status of the muscle-tendon unit.

The statistical analysis focuses on the differences between baseline, post-fatigue, and 24-hour recovery measurements.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

28

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

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:

  • Healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 25.
  • Physical activity level categorized as sedentary or recreationally active according to IPAQ.
  • Willingness to follow the supine isometric fatigue protocol and attend follow-up measurements.
  • Sedentary or recreationally active (IPAQ scores).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries or surgeries within the last 6 months.
  • Any diagnosed neurological, metabolic, or cardiovascular diseases.
  • Regular use of medications or supplements that may affect muscle tone or recovery (e.g., muscle relaxants, high-dose antioxidants).
  • Recent history of intensive strength training for the lower limbs.

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Gastrocnemius Fatigue Group
Participants in this arm undergo a standardized localized muscle fatigue protocol for the plantar flexors. This involves performing repetitive standing calf raises at a constant tempo of 60 beats per minute until task failure. Muscle myotonometric properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) and vertical jump performance (CMJ) are measured at baseline, immediately post-fatigue, and 24 hours later to evaluate acute changes and recovery.
Device: Isometric Plantar Flexion Fatigue Protocol
Participants undergo a localized isometric fatigue protocol in a supine position with their feet placed against a solid wall. They perform maximal isometric plantar flexion pushing against the wall. The protocol continues until the participant reports a score of 8 or higher (indicating 'very strong' to 'maximal' exertion) on the Borg CR-10 Scale. Task failure is also confirmed by the inability to maintain the required isometric pressure or foot position despite verbal encouragement. This ensures a standardized level of subjective and objective muscle fatigue across all participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle Stiffness of the Medial and Lateral Gastrocnemius
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Evaluation of the intrinsic mechanical stiffness of the medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius muscles using myotonometry. Higher values indicate greater stiffness. Measured in Newtons per meter (N/m).
Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Vertical Jump Performance (Jump Height)
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Assessment of explosive power using the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) height measured on a digital force platform. Measured in centimeters (cm).
Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Countermovement Jump Phase Durations (Braking and Eccentric)
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Temporal analysis of the jumping strategy, specifically the duration of the eccentric and braking phases. Measured in milliseconds (ms).
Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Dynamic Balance Performance (Y-Balance Test)
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)
Measurement of dynamic postural control in three directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral). Reach distances are normalized to leg length. Measured in percentage of leg length (%LL).
Baseline, immediately post-fatigue (Post-0), and 24 hours post-fatigue (Post-24h)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Beykent

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ali İlez, PhD Can, VU University of Amsterdam
  • Principal Investigator: Nergiz Batur, PhD Can, Galata University

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)

January 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 15, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

February 24, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 19, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UBeykent-17

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be publicly available to protect participant privacy. However, de-identified aggregate data and study protocols may be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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