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Ultrasound Muscle Biomarkers as Predictors of Isometric Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Handgrip in Healthy Adults: an Observational Study (MUSCLE-US)

12 juni 2026 bijgewerkt door: Nicola S. Diciolla, University of Alcala

This observational study aims to determine whether ultrasound-derived muscle biomarkers can predict isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip in healthy adults aged 18-89 years.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Which ultrasound muscle characteristics are associated with isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip?
  • Can ultrasound-derived biomarkers be used to develop predictive models of muscle strength in healthy adults?

Participants will undergo:

  • Ultrasound assessment of the quadriceps and forearm flexor muscles;
  • Measurement of isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip using standardized dynamometry protocols;
  • Assessment of functional capacity, mobility and balance;
  • Completion of questionnaires related to health status, physical activity, nutrition, fatigue and health-related quality of life.

The study will also assess the reliability of ultrasound measurements and explore the relationship between ultrasound variables, muscle strength, physical function and health-related factors.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Nog niet aan het werven

Conditie

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Peripheral muscle strength is an important determinant of physical function, independence and health outcomes. Reduced quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip have been associated with functional limitations, frailty, hospitalization and mortality. Although muscle ultrasound is increasingly used to assess muscle morphology and quality, its ability to predict muscle strength remains incompletely understood.

The MUSCLE-US study is a monocentre observational study designed to investigate the relationship between ultrasound-derived muscle biomarkers and isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip in healthy adults. Participants aged 18-89 years will be recruited from community settings and stratified by age and sex.

Ultrasound assessments will be performed on the quadriceps and forearm flexor muscles using standardized acquisition procedures. First-order variables (e.g., muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, pennation angle, fascicle length), second-order texture features and higher-order ultrasound biomarkers will be extracted and analysed.

Isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip will be measured using standardized dynamometry protocols. Additional assessments will include functional capacity tests, mobility and balance measures, physical activity, nutritional status, fatigue, dyspnoea, health-related quality of life, lifestyle factors and comorbidity profiles.

The primary objective is to identify ultrasound biomarkers associated with quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip, and to develop predictive models of muscle strength. Secondary objectives include assessment of ultrasound measurement reliability and exploration of relationships between ultrasound biomarkers, muscle strength, physical function and health-related characteristics.

Recruitment, assessor training, ultrasound standardisation procedures and reliability analyses will be conducted during the initial phase of the project, followed by the main recruitment and data collection phase and subsequent statistical modelling and dissemination activities.

Studietype

Observationeel

Inschrijving (Geschat)

300

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Contact Back-up

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen
  • Oudere volwassene

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Ja

Bemonsteringsmethode

Niet-waarschijnlijkheidssteekproef

Studie Bevolking

Community-dwelling healthy adults aged 18-89 years residing in Spain. Participants will be recruited through community advertisements, institutional dissemination channels, and collaborating centres. The study aims to investigate the relationship between ultrasound-derived muscle biomarkers and isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip in a healthy adult population.

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy adults aged 18-89 years.
  • Resident in Spain for at least 5 years.
  • Living independently in the community and able to complete all study assessments.
  • Able to understand and follow verbal instructions in Spanish.
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent prior to study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Neurological, musculoskeletal, or systemic disorders affecting muscle strength or mobility.
  • Recent surgery or acute injury affecting the upper or lower limbs.
  • Recent use of medications affecting the musculoskeletal system (e.g., systemic corticosteroids for >1 week during the previous 6 months or muscle relaxants during the previous week).
  • Cognitive or psychiatric conditions limiting participation.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Recent postpartum period (≤3 months after delivery).
  • Presence of clinically relevant pain, fatigue, physical deconditioning, or functional limitations that may interfere with study procedures or measurement validity.
  • Acute illness at the time of assessment.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg).
  • Resting peripheral oxygen saturation ≤90%.
  • Moderate-to-severe pain (Numeric Rating Scale ≥4/10).
  • Any medical condition considered by the investigator to contraindicate study participation.

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

Cohorten en interventies

Groep / Cohort
Healthy adults
Healthy/community-dwelling adults aged 18-89 years participating in an observational study evaluating ultrasound-derived muscle biomarkers and their relationship with isometric quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Isometric quadriceps muscle strength
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Quadricpes maximal voluntary contraction measured using a handheld dynamometer according to a standardized testing protocol. Peak force will be recorded in kilograms-force (kgf).
Day 1
Handgrip
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Maximal voluntary handgrip measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer according to the American Society of Hand Therapists protocol. Peak force will be recorded in kilograms-force (kgf).
Day 1
Ultrasound-derived muscle biomarkers
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Muscle ultrasound biomarkers obtained from standardized B-mode ultrasound images of selected quadriceps and forearm muscles. Candidate variables include muscle morphology, architecture, grayscale characteristics and texture-based parameters. The final set of ultrasound-derived biomarkers will be defined following assessor training, protocol standardization and pilot reliability analyses.
Day 1

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Five-repetition sit-to-stand test
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Functional capacity assessed by the time required to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions according to standardised procedures. Results will be expressed in seconds. Lower values indicate better lower-limb functional capacity.
Day 1
One-minute sit-to-stand test
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Functional capacity assessed as the number of sit-to-stand repetitions completed in one minute according to standardised procedures. Higher values indicate better functional exercise capacity.
Day 1
Timed Up and Go test
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Mobility and dynamic balance assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Results will be expressed in seconds. Lower values indicate better mobility and dynamic balance.
Day 1
Modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Dyspnoea severity assessed using the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale. Scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater breathlessness.
Day 1
Modified Borg dyspnoea scale
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Perceived breathlessness assessed using the modified Borg dyspnoea scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater breathlessness.
Day 1
Dyspnoea-12
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Dyspnoea assessed using the Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating more severe breathlessness.
Day 1
Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Fatigue assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating less fatigue.
Day 1
EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Health-related quality of life assessed using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D) questionnaire. The index score will be calculated according to the appropriate national value set. Higher scores indicate better health status. Self-rated health assessed using the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better perceived health.
Day 1
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Physical activity assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. Results will be expressed as minutes per week spent in vigorous/moderate/total physical activity, time per week spent walking and hours per day spent in sedentary behaviour (sitting).
Day 1
Mini Nutritional Assessment-short form
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Nutritional status assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-short form. Scores range from 0 to 14, with higher scores indicating better nutritional status.
Day 1

Andere uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Age
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Participant age recorded in completed years.
Day 1
Weight
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Participant weight recorded in kilograms.
Day 1
Height
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Participant height recorded in metres.
Day 1
Body mass index
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Body mass index calculated as weight divided by height squared.
Day 1
Sex
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Participant biological sex recorded as female or male.
Day 1
Systemic inflammation markers
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
CRP, IL-6, eosinophils, fibrinogen, neutrophil elastase, ESR, KL-6, SP-D, FeNO, IgE, calprotectin, if available, from medical records.
Day 1
Charlson Comorbidity Index
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Comorbidity burden assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Higher scores indicate greater comorbidity burden.
Day 1
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Current medication use classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System.
Day 1
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Alcohol consumption assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Higher scores indicate greater alcohol consumption and increased risk of hazardous drinking.
Day 1
Smoking Exposure (pack-year index)
Tijdsspanne: Day 1
Lifetime smoking exposure quantified using the pack-year index, calculated from self-reported smoking history. A higher pack-year index means greater cumulative exposure to tobacco smoking over lifetime.
Day 1

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

University of Alcala

Onderzoekers

  • Hoofdonderzoeker: Nicola S. Diciolla, PT, Ph.D., University of Alcala

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

1 juni 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

1 juni 2028

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 juni 2029

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

9 juni 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

9 juni 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

15 juni 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

16 juni 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

12 juni 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juni 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • CEIP/2026/2/39

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

JA

Beschrijving IPD-plan

Individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in publications, after de-identification, will be made available. Shared data may include demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables, isometric quadriceps muscle strength, handgrip, ultrasound-derived muscle variables, functional capacity measures, and patient-reported outcomes/questionnaire data collected as part of the study. Direct identifiers will be removed before data sharing. Data sharing will comply with applicable ethical approvals, informed consent provisions, and data protection regulations.

IPD-tijdsbestek voor delen

De-identified individual participant data and supporting documents will become available beginning 12 months after publication of the primary study results and will remain available for at least 5 years thereafter.

IPD-toegangscriteria voor delen

Researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for secondary analyses or validation studies may request access to the de-identified dataset. Requests will be reviewed by the study investigators. Data will be provided following approval of the proposal and execution of a data-sharing agreement, when required, in accordance with ethical and legal requirements. Supporting documents, including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form template, and analytic code, will be made available upon reasonable request.

IPD delen Ondersteunend informatietype

  • LEERPROTOCOOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • ANALYTIC_CODE

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

Deze informatie is zonder wijzigingen rechtstreeks van de website clinicaltrials.gov gehaald. Als u verzoeken heeft om uw onderzoeksgegevens te wijzigen, te verwijderen of bij te werken, neem dan contact op met register@clinicaltrials.gov. Zodra er een wijziging wordt doorgevoerd op clinicaltrials.gov, wordt deze ook automatisch bijgewerkt op onze website .

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