Mitigating Neural Hypoexcitability and Weakness During Disuse in Women
Kansas State University
Summary
Clinical trial The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how muscle weakness and atrophy develop during short periods of arm immobilization and whether a type of exercise called cross-education can help reduce these effects in women at midlife. The main questions it aims to answer are: What changes happen in the nervous system that lead to weakness when a wrist is immobilized? Can training the opposite arm help maintain muscle strength, muscle size, and nervous system function in the immobilized arm? Researchers will compare women who have their wrist immobilized with or without opposite-arm resistance training. Participants will: Wear a wrist cast on one arm for 7 days Complete strength training with the opposite arm or no training, depending on their group Attend study visits for strength and nervous system testing Have non-invasive tests (like magnetic brain stimulation, muscle recordings, and muscle imaging) to measure how the nervous system and muscle responds
Description
This clinical trial employs a two-phase, parallel-group randomized controlled design targeting midlife women (ages 40-65), stratified by menopausal status. Participants will be randomized to either a cross-education training group (TRAIN) or a standard care control group (CONTROL). Phase 1 (Immobilization and Cross-Education Intervention): To induce rapid declines in neuromuscular function, participants will undergo unilateral wrist immobilization of the non-dominant arm using a hard cast for 7 days. During this period, the TRAIN group will complete three resistance training sessions with th…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–65 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Women between 40-65 years of age * Baseline handgrip strength \>16Kg Exclusion Criteria: * Personal or family history of blood clots * Current use of anticoagulant medications * Neuromuscular or metabolic diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, diabetes) * Arthritis * Osteoporosis or osteopenia * History of myocardial infarction within the past year * Chronic pain ≥3/10 for ≥3 months * Uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) * Upper extremity surgery within the past year * Use of assistive hand or arm device within the past year * Fall involving the upper extremities with…
Interventions
- DeviceWrist immobilization
The wrist immobilization will use a medical device (wrist cast) to immobilize the left, non-dominant wrist for 7 days.
- BehavioralResistance training
The cross-education intervention will consist of resistance training on the dominant hand.
- BehavioralResistance training rehabilitation
The resistance training rehabilitation will occur for the non-dominant hand following the immobilization phase for all participants.
Location
- Neuromuscular Physiology LaboratoryManhattan, Kansas