Validation of a Digital Twin Performing Strength Training

Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that advanced subject-specific musculoskeletal modelling in combination with mobile monitoring technology as embedded in the iPhone and Apple Watch allow for accurate prediction of changes in muscle strength and muscle size in the lower limbs following an 8-week strength training intervention of key muscle-tendon groups associated with knee joint stability.

Primary Objective: Prediction of changes in muscle strength in the lower limbs by means of the advanced computational modelling, biomechanical analysis and mobile monitoring technology. Of particular interest is the prediction of 1RM, sprint time, CMJ and SJ. Research has clearly shown that the quantification of 1RM is fundamentally important when it comes to the design of safe and efficient resistance training programs.

Project design This project in sports science is designed as a confirmatory qualitative study in applied research involving healthy participants. The rationale of this project is to predict changes in muscle strength and muscle size due to strength training using computational modelling and mobile monitoring technology. In particular, the investigators will advance novel approaches in subject-specific anatomically-based modelling and mobile monitoring, which have previously tested in the research setting, and are now being applied to an intervention study in healthy volunteers to predict adaptations in muscle strength and function.

Study design: The specifics of the strength training intervention are carefully designed based on the current state of research in the field, and in line with strength training recommendations in musculoskeletal health, fitness and rehabilitation. In particular, the investigators will conduct an 8-week strength training intervention program of the key muscle-tendon groups associated with knee joint stability (hamstrings, quadriceps and triceps surae), with the study group (n=36, with 18F and 18M). Each participant will perform the strength training self-directedly in their chosen training-specific setting. Clear guidelines for warm-up, type and conduct of exercises will be given to all participants. The strength exercises are standard exercises for strengthening knee extension and flexion: squats, leg press, back extensions, heel raises, and single joint exercises.

Study parameters: Anthropometric parameters include body height, body weight. Strength- and training-specific parameters include repetition count, mean concentric velocity, 1RM, 5m and 20 sprint time, counter movement and squat jump and 1 RM.

PROJECT POPULATION AND STUDY PROCEDURES

Project population: The project population are healthy adult subjects who are all participating in their own strength training program on a regular weekly basis. The primary objective is to predict changes in muscle strength (i.e. primary outcome parameters: 1RM and H:Q ratio) following different training volumes of key muscle groups associated with knee joint stability. A power analysis was conducted using statistikguru.de to assess the required sample size for the primary outcome parameter, 1RM.

All participants have to confirm their voluntary participation with a written informed consent before being submitted to any study procedure.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy participants; and
• Age 20-40 years old; and
• No acute or chronic musculoskeletal symptoms or pain; and
• Experience with strength training (at least 1-year strength training experience with one training session per week or more); and
• Familiar with strength exercises of key muscles associated with knee joint stability.

Exclusion criteria

• Acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain; and/or
• Musculoskeletal surgery within the last 12 months; and/or
• Ongoing rehabilitation or treatment of musculoskeletal complaints or injury; and/or
• Neuromusculoskeletal disease (e.g. cerebral palsy); and/or
• Pregnancy.