This study focuses on muscle–tendon adaptation and function in healthy adults. It does not involve patients with pathological conditions. The research investigates how different eccentric loading strategies affect the mechanical and architectural properties of the ankle plantar flexor muscles and Achilles tendon. Other
Conditions
Interventions
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Eccentric quasi-isometric (EQI) training:
Participants will complete a 6-week EQI training program targeting the right ankle plantar fle
Sponsors
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Healthy adults (male and female) aged 18–30 years. 2. No musculoskeletal injuries in the past 3 months. 3. No ankle injuries in the past 12 months. 4. Regular participation in resistance training (=2–3 sessions per week during the past 6 months). 5. Ability and willingness to participate in all testing and training sessions. 6. Agreement to maintain usual daily physical activity and to refrain from any additional resistance or proprioceptive training targeting the ankle plantar flexors during the study period.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Presence of chronic infectious or metabolic disease. 2. Cardiovascular or respiratory disorder that limits physical activity. 3. Diagnosed neurological condition (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease). 4. Current or recent musculoskeletal injury not meeting inclusion criteria. 5. Use of medications that may influence physical performance or neuromuscular function. 6. Pregnancy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Muscle fascicle length is measured using panoramic B-mode ultrasound imaging of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 2. Muscle pennation angle is measured using panoramic B-mode ultrasound imaging of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 3. Muscle thickness is measured using panoramic B-mode ultrasound imaging of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Isometric peak torque of the ankle plantar flexors is measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (HumacNorm, USA) under isometric conditions at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 2. Concentric peak torque of the ankle plantar flexors is measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (HumacNorm, USA) at 60°/s at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 3. Eccentric peak torque of the ankle plantar flexors is measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (HumacNorm, USA) at 60°/s at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 4. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is measured using a goniometer in open- and closed-kinetic-chain positions at baseline and 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention 5. Perceived muscle soreness is measured using a 10-point numerical rating scale before and after each training session during the 6-week intervention 6. Perceived session difficulty is measured using a 10-point numerical rating scale before and after each training session during the 6-week intervention | — |
Countries
Slovenia
Contacts
Public ContactŽiga Kozinc
Outcome results
None listed