Neural Adaptations to a Single Session of Metronome-Paced Strength Training

Summary

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of incorporating variability within a single session of Resistance Training (RT) methods on the neural adaptations along the corticospinal tract and on neuromuscular function. The literature suggests that RTis one of the most common modalities to enhance and restore muscle function and its practice results in adaptation in neural and morphological adaptations. Moreover, it is also known that muscle contraction relies on the coordination and regulation of the descending neural drive from the motor cortex to the motoneurons and from the motoneurons to the muscles. However, traditional RT programs tend not to address this motor control dimension. Recent approaches such as metronome paced strength training have been used to cover this motor control dimension through a greater control and consciousness of movement. However, this methodology tends not to incorporate the inherent variability and complex, fractal-like fluctuations that characterize human movement. The investigators propose that incorporating variability through a fractal-like metronome approach will speed up the neural adaptations which will be useful in injury rehab

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

OTHER

Fractal Paced

The intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with fractal external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.

OTHER

Isochronus Paced

The intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with isochronus external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.

OTHER

Self Paced

The intervention consists in a single session of strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, at at participants' own self pace (with no metronome). The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Essex

  collaborator OTHER

• Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-07-22

Primary Completion

2025-06-30

Completion

2025-07-31

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations