Clinical Research Directory

Impacts and Mechanisms of Age and Muscle Fatigue on Postural Control and Force Control

Muscle fatigue is one of the clinical symptoms in elderly people and demonstrates task dependency and muscle dependency. Muscle fatigue has been shown to negatively impact postural control, physical activity, and quality of life. However, the evidence for the influence of muscle fatigue on postural control is limited and inconsistent in elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of aging and muscle fatigue on postural control and gait performance with fatiguing exercises of upper and lower extremities.

Combined tDCS and Pneumatic Compression for Recovery After a 10K Run

This study will examine how two recovery methods-pneumatic compression (PC) applied to the legs and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the head-help athletes recover after a 10-kilometer (10K) run. It also aims to find out which methods may help master athletes recover faster, maintain performance, and reduce the risk of injury. Men aged 40-55 who are trained long-distance runners can participate, provided they do not have medical conditions that prevent safe exercise or use of the recovery methods. Participants will run 10K and then receive one of the following interventions in a randomized order: tDCS, PC, tDCS + PC, or no intervention (control). Each participant will experience all conditions, with a one-week break between sessions. Measurements will be taken before the run, immediately after, and after the intervention, including heart rate variability, cognitive tests (Stroop Test), vertical jump, and maximal voluntary muscle contraction, during which muscle activity will be recorded using electromyography (EMG). Data will be analyzed to compare how each intervention affects recovery, including physical performance, cognitive function, and psychological state. The study will show which methods help master runners recover faster and more effectively, provide practical strategies to improve performance and reduce injury risk, and offer information on the separate and combined effects of tDCS and PC on recovery, which could help design age-specific recovery strategies for endurance athletes.

Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Use in Professional Soccer Players During a State Championship

This study aims to investigate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation on professional soccer players during a state championship. The primary question is whether photobiomodulation improves recovery, reduces muscle fatigue, and enhances performance compared to standard training without photobiomodulation.

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercises on Lumbar Muscle Endurance and Balance in Healthy Young Adults

This study aims to examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on back muscle endurance and balance in healthy young adults. BFR is a training method that involves applying controlled pressure to the limbs with a cuff while performing simple exercises. It has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance even at low exercise loads, reducing stress on the joints. In this study, participants aged 20 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises combined with BFR, while the other group will perform the same exercises without BFR. The exercise program will last 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week. Before and after the program, participants will be assessed for: Lumbar extensor muscle endurance (using the Biering-Sørensen test) Balance performance (using a computerized balance platform) Physiological responses such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure The purpose of this research is to determine whether BFR exercises improve spinal muscle endurance and balance more effectively than standard sit-to-stand exercises. The results may provide new insights into the use of BFR training as a safe and practical strategy for improving posture, preventing back problems, and enhancing physical performance in young adults.

Feasibility of Assessing Muscle Displacement and Muscle Excursion on Muscle Fatigue, With and Without Preventive Strategies

Study Subjects: This study will recruit healthy males aged 18 to 35 who regularly exercise for at least 2.5 hours per week. Expected Number of Participants: 20. Methods and Procedures: This trial will be randomized into two groups, Groups A and B, who will undergo two isokinetic concentric exercise sessions (fatiguing exercise) separated by 15 days. Group A will first receive a fatigue prevention strategy (high-energy laser) followed by a placebo-controlled no-fatigue strategy 15 days later. Group B will first receive a placebo-controlled no-fatigue strategy followed by a fatigue prevention strategy (high-energy laser) 15 days later. The fatigue prevention strategy involves irradiating the quadriceps femoris with a 900-joule high-intensity laser therapy (3-watt output power for 5 minutes) before the isokinetic concentric exercise. The no-fatigue strategy (sham-controlled) involves irradiating the quadriceps femoris with a 0-joule high-energy laser (0-watt output power for 5 minutes) before the isokinetic concentric exercise. Muscle displacement, muscle excursion, as well as muscle electrophysiological changes, force output, and microcirculation parameters were measured before and after exercise to verify the feasibility of muscle displacement and migration for muscle fatigue assessment, and to further establish their impact and application value in muscle fatigue prevention strategies (high-intensity laser therapy).

Pre-Sleep Creatine Enhances Anaerobic Power in Recreationally Active Females

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to examine the effects of pre-sleep creatine monohydrate supplementation on anaerobic performance and muscle damage markers in recreationally active females. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 5 grams of creatine monohydrate or a placebo 30 minutes before sleep for seven consecutive days. Anaerobic performance will be assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test, evaluating peak and average power output and fatigue index. Blood samples will be collected before and after the supplementation period to analyze markers of muscle damage, including creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. This study aims to provide insight into the efficacy of short-term, time-specific creatine supplementation for enhancing performance and recovery.

Pioglitazone Therapy Targeting Fatigue in Breast Cancer

The goal of this project is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of pioglitazone (PIO) to target underlying mechanisms that promote muscle fatigue in patients with breast cancer. This represents an off-label use of this compound, both in terms of the patient population and the clinical phenotype targeted. The central research hypothesis of this study is that daily pioglitazone will restore transcriptional downregulation of pathways within skeletal that promote fatigue.