Influence of Fast and Slow Imagined Muscle Contractions on Muscle Function or Central Nervous System Properties

Launched by KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY · Oct 3, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to understand how imagining fast versus slow muscle contractions affects the nervous system and muscle function in healthy young adults. Essentially, the researchers want to find out if thinking about moving your muscles quickly makes your nervous system more active and improves muscle performance compared to thinking about moving slowly. Participants will take part in four laboratory visits where they will imagine 50 contractions of their muscles—without actually moving them. Their muscle activity and brain responses will be measured before and after these imagined exercises.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 18 and 30 years old, healthy, and not currently participating in regular exercise. If you’re female, you should have been on the same birth control pill for the last six months. The study will not include individuals who have certain medical conditions, have taken specific medications, or have had recent injuries. It's a great opportunity to explore how our thoughts can influence muscle and brain activity, and it could help us learn more about muscle training techniques.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be between the ages of 18 - 30
• • Healthy (no medical conditions)
• • If female, must be taking the same monophasic oral contraceptive for the past 6 months
• • Have a body mass index between 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
• • Have not performed structured cardiovascular or resistance exercise in past 3 years
• • Be right-handed
• • Not currently taking stimulants, antipsychotic, anxiety, or depression medications
• • Have not suffered an upper extremity musculoskeletal injury within the past year
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • If transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is not deemed appropriate depending on your responses to the TMS-specific questionnaire
• • Being ambidextrous
• • Although rare, you will be excluded if discernable muscle activation responses are not possible via TMS