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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06069440

Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Swimmers

During a submaximal task, gradual muscle fatigue occurs, which inevitably results in a decline in performance (mechanical failure). Elite athletes are known to employ unconscious compensatory strategies during fatiguing submaximal tasks in an attempt to delay the onset of mechanical failure as long as possible.

The purpose of this study was to gain valuable insight into the strategies used by elite swimmers to cope with mechanical failure. Twenty-two swimmers were subjected to a swim test consisting of swimming as long as possible at a predetermined and controlled pace. A light strip positioned at the bottom of the pool allows athletes to get feedback on which gait to keep. The kinematics (stroke rate, stroke length, and efficiency index) and electrical activity of 10 muscle groups were analyzed and compared at the beginning of the test (non-fatiguing conditions), just before the athlete lost the ability to maintain the predetermined pace (pre-mechanical failure), and after the athlete lost the ability to maintain the pace (mechanical failure). It is hypothesized that as fatigue becomes more pronounced and the point of inability to maintain a predetermined speed is approached, increased EMG activity will occur in key muscles while other muscle groups may show more obvious signs of fatigue. In addition, changes in the rhythm and coordination of upper limb movements may occur.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

16 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Università degli Studi di Genova

Genova, 16122, Italy

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Middle- or long-distance swimmer specializing in front crawl
  • At least 3 years of experience in international competition
  • Daily use of flashing light for pace control in aerobic, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption training.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of muscle pain or soreness that could prevent the athlete from performing at their best

Treatment and study plan

Swimming Fatigue Task

Other

Swim freestyle at a steady, controlled pace until mechanical failure (i.e., inability to maintain the predetermined speed) is reached.

Primary outcomes

  1. Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  2. Biceps Brachii muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  3. Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  4. Deltoideus Lateralis muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  5. Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  6. Superior Trapezius muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  7. Erector Spinae muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  8. Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  9. Rectus Femoris muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  10. Biceps Femoris muscle activity

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square)

  11. Kinematic parameters

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    stroke frequency (time required to complete a stroke cycle)

  12. Kinematic parameters

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    stroke length (distance traveled during each stroke cycle))

Secondary outcomes

  1. Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  2. Biceps Brachii muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  3. Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  4. Deltoideus Lateralis muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  5. Latissimus Dorsi muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  6. Superior Trapezius muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  7. Erector Spinae muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  8. Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  9. Rectus Femoris muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

  10. Biceps Femoris muscle fatigue

    Time frame: up to 10 minutes

    time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universita degli Studi di Genova

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Analysis of Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Long Distance Swimmers

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2023
First posted
Oct 5, 2023
Registry last updated
Oct 5, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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