The Effect of Percussive Massage on the Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle and Vascular Health During Limb Immobilization
Brigham Young University
Summary
The primary aims of this study are to determine the effect of percussive massage (30 min/session, 2 sessions/day, daily) during 10 days of unilateral limb immobilization on preserving muscle, vascular, and mitochondrial function. The following hypotheses will be tested: Hypothesis 1: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of size, strength and endurance over the immobilization period compared to the control group, as measured by MRI, maximal isometric and isokinetic force production and muscle endurance test using Biodex dynamometry. Hypothesis 2: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of vascular function and blood flow compared to the control group as measured by passive leg movement and femoral artery blood flow. Hypothesis 3: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and decrease H2O2 production during immobilization compared to the control group, as measured by high-resolution respirometry.
Description
Phase 1. Pre-measures: Pre-measures will occur over the course of 2 days. Visit 1: MRI scan: Participants will report to the MRI facility and fill out an MRI safety screening form. Upon completion, a 3-Tesla magnet will be used to image their left thigh (for more detail on MRI protocol see section 7.4 below). Visit 2: Blood flow and vascular function measurement: Upon arrival, participants will rest on a chair for 15 minutes with their left leg resting on a rolling desktop to stabilize their heart rate and blood flow. Blood flow will be measured with Doppler Ultrasound at the Common Femora…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-50 years old (women are pre-menopausal). We will exclude individuals over the age of 50 because the adaptive capability of skeletal muscle fundamentally changes with older age, and the risk from disuse increases. The findings of this study will help determine the risk benefit relationship of conducting a similar study in older individuals. * Stable levels of physical activity for at least 6 months * No history of lower extremity injury that would preclude their ability to perform knee extension exercise Exclusion Criteria: * Cigarette or marijuana smoker * Pregnant…
Interventions
- Devicepercussive massage
30 minutes of percussive massage will be administered twice per day during the 10 day immobilization period using a percussive massage device
- Combination ProductLeg Immobilization
All subjects will have their left leg immobilized using an immobilization brace for 10 days
Location
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo, Utah