Clinical Research Directory

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Muscle Strength

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of 12-week supplementation with algae-derived DHA combined with strength training on muscle strength, neuromuscular parameters, post-exercise inflammation and cognitive functions in healthy adults compared to fish-derived EPA and DHA combined with strength training, strength training plus placebo and groups receiving only supplementation (algae-derived DHA, fish-derived EPA and DHA or placebo). The research methods and measurement tools include: * Body composition assessed prior to the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training: body mass index (BMI) and body composition - fat mass \[kg\], body fat percentage \[%\] and skeletal muscle mass \[kg\] - will be determined using bioimpedance methods (In Body 720, Biospace, Seoul, Korea) following an overnight fast. * Assessment of physical activity levels using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). * Assessment of mood (UMACL Adjective Mood Scale) and depression (DASS-21, Beck Depression Scale). * The SarQoL (Sarcopenia and Quality of Life) questionnaire, used to specifically assess quality of life in people with reduced muscle mass and function. * Assessment of participants' diet: each participant will be required to record their diet in 3-day food diaries (to be checked on the first day of testing). * Blood sampling: blood will be collected from each participant at two time points before and after the intervention (on an empty stomach, and 40 minutes after the training session). The following will be collected: 1 × 6 ml blood count tube and 3 tubes with a clotting activator, with a total volume of 20 ml. Blood will be collected before the start of the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training. The tubes will be centrifuged at 4 °C (4000 × g for 10 minutes). The serum, plasma and erythrocyte fractions will then be frozen at -80 °C until analysis. * Peak force, relative peak force, start time to peak force and force at 100 and 200 milliseconds will be measured during isometric mid-thigh pull-ups using ForceDecks FD Lite dual uniaxial force plates with ForceDecks software (VALD Performance, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia). Upper limb grip strength will be measured using a SAEHAN electronic dynamometer. * In addition, muscle electrical activity using a Noraxon Telemyo surface electromyograph will be assessed during isometric mid-thigh pull-ups. * Cognitive function will be assessed using the following tests: the Stroop Test, the Corsi Block-Tapping Task and the Pattern Separation Task. All analysis (beside IPAQ) will be performed before and after 12 weeks of intervention. * During the study, all participants will take part in a strength training session (around 40 mins duration) led by an experienced trainer to stimulate the muscles to release myokines. * Blood tests will include: BDNF, IGF-1, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-alpha, and IL-1B as well as concentrations of metabolites of the kynurenine pathway.

Effect of HMB Supplementation and Vivifrail Exercise on Body Composition, Handgrip Strength and Physical Performance in Women Over 60 Years of Age

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether taking a daily supplement of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) while following a structured exercise program improves body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in older women. The main question it aims to answer is: does HMB (3 g per day) combined with the Vivifrail multicomponent exercise program improve handgrip strength more than the same exercise program combined with maltodextrin without HMB? Researchers will also compare body composition and physical performance between groups. Participants will take the assigned supplement every day for 12 weeks, attend three supervised Vivifrail exercise sessions per week at the Casa Club de la Tercera Edad (DIF Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico), and complete evaluations at baseline, week 6 and week 12.

Acute Effects of Stretching, Kinesio Taping, Cold Water Immersion and Foam Rolling on Wrist Strength and Precise Force and Position Control

Static stretching, dynamic stretching, elastic (Kinesio) taping, brief cold water immersion and foam rolling are used daily in sport and rehabilitation to prepare the forearm and hand, but it is not known whether, immediately after use, they change how strongly the wrist can flex and how precisely a person can control the force and the position of the wrist. This study measured all five methods in the same 56 healthy adults on separate weekly visits, immediately before and after each method, in a randomised crossover design. Outcomes included peak isometric wrist-flexion force, normalised error in a force-tracking task, normalised error in a position-tracking task, and active range of motion. The study also quantified learning across visits and the measurement properties of the variables. The trial was registered retrospectively; the reason is given in the detailed description.

Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Supplementation in Physically Active Females

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether whey protein or plant protein supplements, with or without an adaptogenic herb blend, can improve strength, recovery, stress, and wellbeing in active females. The adaptogenic blend contains ashwagandha root extract and shatavari root extract. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Do whey protein and plant protein supplements improve muscle strength and recovery in physically active females? * Does adding ashwagandha and shatavari improve stress, recovery, sleep, and wellbeing compared with protein alone? * Are there differences between whey protein and plant protein when combined with the adaptogenic blend? Researchers will compare four supplement groups: * Whey protein * Whey protein with ashwagandha and shatavari * Plant protein * Plant protein with ashwagandha and shatavari Participants will: * Take their assigned supplement daily for 6 weeks * Attend testing sessions before and after the intervention * Complete questionnaires about recovery, sleep, stress, soreness, and digestive health * Provide saliva samples to measure stress, hormone, immune, and inflammation markers * Complete muscle strength tests, including handgrip strength and push-up testing * Complete a 24-hour dietary recall. The study includes physically active females aged 18 to 45 years who regularly participate in structured training.

Effects of Resistance Training on Recovery During Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

This study investigates whether a resistance training program can help patients recovering from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematologic malignancies. HSCT is a vital treatment, but it comes with a high risk of severe complications. These include opportunistic infections caused by low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), where donor cells attack the patient's body. Additionally, more than half of patients suffered from severe cancer-related fatigue during or after transplantation, which significantly lowers their quality of life. Currently, treatments for these complications rely almost entirely on medication. The purpose of this study is to see if an 8-week elastic band resistance training program can speed up blood cell recovery, reduce the severity of aGVHD, shorten hospital stays, and alleviate cancer-related fatigue. A total of 86 patients preparing for HSCT at Taipei Veterans General Hospital will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. The Resistance Training Group (43 patients): Participants will perform 45-minute elastic band exercises three times a week, starting four weeks before their transplant and continuing until four weeks after. 2. The Control Group (43 patients): Participants will receive standard routine care. The study will compare the two groups by measuring how many days it takes for white blood cells to recover, the occurrence and severity of aGVHD, muscle strength (hand grip and lower limbs), fatigue levels, and the total length of hospital stays.

Assessment of Overall Functioning in Patients With Complex Health Issues

The overall aim of the study is to assess whether each outcome measures the same aspect of overall functioning or contributes with different aspects. More specifically, the aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between each single instrument. During study period all patients presenting at our clinic will be offered to participate in the study. Patients will be included in the study when referred to the department of Social Medicine and providing written informed consent to participate in the study. Inclusion will continue until 100 patients have completed an AMPS test. All participants will, apart from standard procedure, be asked to complete: * An AMPS-test * ADL-Q (Questionnaire concerning Activities of Daily Living) * ADL-I (Interview based questionnaire concerning Activites of Daily Living) As standard procedure all participants will also perform/complete: * 30 seconds chair stand test (30sCST) * Hand grip strength (HGS) * Evaluation of ambulation (Cumulated Ambulation Score /CAS) * WORQ (Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire) To obtain the aim of the study correlation-analysis will be performed to investigate the relationship between each included instruments.

Low Load With Blood Flow Restriction for Improving Strength, Balance, and Cognition in Older Adults

This study aims to examine the effects of low load resistance exercise with a blood flow restriction cuff on muscle strength, balance, physical performance, depression, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Applicability of Tissue Flossing for Blood Flow Restriction in the Upper Limb: Reliability and Performance Analysis

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a widely studied technique that combines low-intensity exercise with vascular occlusion, resulting in muscular benefits. However, its application is challenging due to methodological variations and equipment costs. Tissue Flossing (TF) appears as an affordable alternative, but lacks solid scientific evidence.

Effect of Cross-Education in Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training on Lower Limbs in Older Women

Unilateral resistance training has been shown to promote strength adaptations in the directly trained limb and also improve strength in the contralateral limb, a phenomenon known as cross-education (CE), with more pronounced effects observed in high-load training. However, high-load resistance training may be unfeasible for older adults. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training emerges as a low-load alternative that reduces joint stress, is easy to apply, and has low cost. Although there is already evidence showing significant effects of CE during resistance training with BFR, gaps remain regarding its applicability in older adults. This study aims to evaluate the effects of CE in resistance training with BFR on the lower limbs of older women.

Reliability and Performance Analysis of the Use of Tissue Flossing for Blood Flow Restriction.

Blood flow restriction (RFS) is a widely studied technique that combines low-intensity exercise with vascular occlusion, resulting in muscular benefits. However, its application is challenging due to methodological variations and equipment costs. Tissue Flossing (TF) appears as an affordable alternative, but lacks solid scientific evidence.

Body Composition Study in Critically Ill Patients-Extended to COVID-19

Muscle loss (ultrasound quadricep muscle) and muscle strength (handgrip and knee extension strength) will be compared between COVID-19 and non COVID-19 critically ill patients.

Caffeine Supplementation and Strength Endurance in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Athletes

This study investigated the acute effects of ingesting 400 mg of caffeine administered 30 minutes before Brazilian jiu-jitsu-specific strength endurance tests. Experienced athletes completed two conditions, placebo and caffeine, in a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. Performance was assessed using the dynamic component of the kimono grip strength test (maximum number of repetitions, MNR) and the isometric component (maximum static lift, MSL), both performed with a gi grip. Rating of perceived exertion, adverse effects, and blinding effectiveness were also evaluated.

Strength- and Velocity-Oriented Unilateral Training in Male Collegiate Team-Sport Players

This randomized, parallel-group study evaluated the effects of an 8-week unilateral resistance training program with strength- and velocity-oriented loading on limb-specific load-velocity relationships and lower-limb asymmetry in male university team-sport players. Participants were randomly assigned to a strength-oriented training group, which trained at 80% of the limb-specific one-repetition maximum (1RM), or a velocity-oriented training group, which trained at 40% of the limb-specific 1RM. Both groups completed 16 supervised free-weight split-squat training sessions over 8 weeks. In each session, the non-dominant limb performed four sets of five repetitions, while the dominant limb performed three sets of five repetitions. All repetitions were performed with maximal intended concentric velocity and real-time velocity feedback. Limb-specific load-velocity relationships were assessed at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. Lower-limb asymmetry, balance, unilateral jump performance, and basketball-specific change-of-direction performance were assessed at baseline and Week 8. The purpose was to determine whether the two training orientations produced different adaptations and whether the additional training volume assigned to the non-dominant limb influenced inter-limb asymmetry.

Land vs. Water Exercises on Performance and Swimming Behavior in Older Adults

This study aims to investigate the effects of an 8-week combined land and aquatic exercise program (conducted 3 days per week) on physical performance, recreational swimming behaviors, and water-related risk perceptions in older adults. Physical performance is evaluated using handgrip strength and the 30-second chair sit-up test (30CST), while swimming behaviors and water-related risk perceptions are assessed via structured questionnaires.

Metformin in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, and Physical Function: Positive or Negative Correlation?

With the accelerating aging process in China, sarcopenia has drawn increasing attention. Sarcopenia is an age-related geriatric syndrome characterized by reductions in muscle mass, muscle strength, and/or physical function. Sarcopenia has a high prevalence, often insidious onset, and broad impacts on physiological functions. According to the 2019 report from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), sarcopenia prevalence among elderly Asians ranged from 5.5% to 25.7%, with males exhibiting higher rates (5.1% to 21.0%) than females (4.1% to 16.3%). Particularly among patients with diabetes, sarcopenia incidence was significantly elevated, with a prevalence of 14.8% reported in Chinese diabetic populations. Sarcopenia exerts numerous adverse effects. Sarcopenia is strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular events and increased mortality. Sarcopenia is linked to cancer and significantly elevates the risk of various postoperative complications in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, including dysphagia, cognitive impairment, fractures, falls, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. Sarcopenia and diabetes frequently coexist within the same individual, leading to multiple adverse outcomes. Sarcopenia results in declining in function flexibility and responsiveness in diabetic patients, causing gait alterations and impaired balance, limiting daily activities, and is closely linked to risks of falls, fractures, depression, frailty, and mortality. Thus, it is critically important to treat sarcopenia alongside diabetes and avoid detrimental effects of hypoglycemic drugs on muscle. Metformin lowers blood glucose by increasing muscle glucose uptake, inhibiting hepatic glucose output and gluconeogenesis, and promoting glucose excretion into the intestinal lumen; it also reduces the risk of diabetic cardiovascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. There remains controversy in current studies regarding metformin's impact on sarcopenia. Some studies indicate that metformin may have potential beneficial effects on grip strength, skeletal muscle mass, and gait speed. Nordklint AK reported that after 18 months of metformin intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes, bone mineral content and density were improved. Qaisar R conducted a 16-week metformin trial on older men, finding improvements in grip strength and gait speed with statistical significance (P \< 0.05). Klimova AV found that a 6-month metformin intervention improved physical function in patients. Lyu Q's murine study demonstrated that 5 months of metformin treatment conferred benefits and recovery effects on the gastrocnemius muscle in sarcopenia models. Conversely, some studies indicate no impact of metformin on muscle mass, grip strength, or gait speed. Qaisar R reported no improvement in body composition or gait speed after 4 months of metformin use. Laksmi PW found no significant difference in grip strength between groups after a 16-week metformin intervention. Koshizaka M reported that after 24 weeks of intervention with ipragliflozin or metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, metformin had no significant effect on muscle mass. Previous studies have also elucidated mechanisms underlying metformin's effects on muscle. According to Kang MJ, metformin induced myostatin expression in skeletal muscle cells via the Adenosine5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-FoxO3a-HDAC6 pathway, thereby impairing muscle function. Other studies found that metformin reduced expression of mTORC1-related genes in muscles of elderly individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, potentially leading to decreased muscle protein synthesis or increased autophagy. Therefore, this study enrolled elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and employed a cross-sectional design with propensity score matching to elucidate the association between metformin and muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical function, providing evidence for rational clinical use of hypoglycemic drugs.

The Effect od Beetroot Juice on Forearm Muscle Strength and Muscle EMG Activity After BloodFlow Restriction

The primary aim of the current study is determine the effect of beetroot juice consumption on maximal grip strength and EMG muscle activity

Frailty and Muscle Strength Tests in Older Adults Undergoing Major Surgery

The goal of this observational study is to learn if simple tests for frailty and muscle strength can help predict which older adults (age 65 and older) are at higher risk for problems after major abdominal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do measures of frailty and muscle strength, taken before surgery, predict complications after surgery? * Can these tests be easily done during a routine pre-surgical visit? Participants will: * Complete brief tests measuring muscle strength, breathing strength, physical function, nutrition status, body composition, and memory during a regular pre-surgical clinic appointment. * Allow researchers to review their medical records 30 and 90 days after surgery to identify any complications or health problems.

Analysing The Impact of Foot Arch Height on Leg Muscle Tone and Balance in Young Adults.

The goal of this observational study is to explore how the shape of the foot arch affects muscle tone, strength, and balance in healthy young adults aged 18-25, of all genders. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does foot postures as Pes Planus, Pes Cavus, and Normal arch has significant effect on static and dynamic balance performance, lower limb muscle tone, or muscle strength in young adults? 2. What is the functional impact of foot posture on stability, movement efficiency, and injury risk? Participants will be grouped based on foot arch type: flat (pes planus), high (pes cavus), or normal using Arch Height Index (AHI). The investigators will compare groups to see if differences in foot arch affect postural stability, muscle tone, and strength. Participants will: * Complete a sociodemographic questionnaire (Age, gender, physical activity level, dominant leg, and footwear habits), and anthropometric measurements (Height, weight, and BMI). * Undergo static balance test for both legs: Single Leg Stance, counting the errors made in 30 seconds for 3 trials. \- Undergo dynamic balance tests for both legs: Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) by reaching in 8 directions while balancing on one foot, and Single-Leg Hop for Distance by hopping forward on one leg. * Have muscle tone and stiffness assessed using the MyotonPRO device on specified lower limb muscles. * Have muscle strength measured using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2) across major specified leg muscles. People have different types of foot arches. Some have flat feet (pes planus), some have high arches (pes cavus), and others have normal arches. These variations affect how the body aligns during movement and balance. Flat feet may cause inward rolling (overpronation), fatigue, and pain. High arches may cause stiffness, poor shock absorption, and a higher risk of ankle injuries. Both arch types can reduce postural control and increase the risk of imbalance. Since lower body muscles are critical for maintaining posture, weak or poorly coordinated muscles can worsen these effects. However, no previous study has comprehensively explored the combination of foot arch structure, muscle tone, muscle strength, and both static and dynamic balance. This study aims to fill that gap. The results may help healthcare professionals develop better screening and treatment strategies, such as exercise programs, rehabilitation approaches, and shoe recommendations for individuals with flat or high arches. By understanding these factors, the investigators can improve movement efficiency, prevent injuries, and support better quality of life. All participants will be informed of the study procedures and will provide both written and verbal consent. The study will be conducted in compliance with ethical standards.

Swedish Physical Activity and Fitness Longitudinal Study

Aging means loss of strength, which can affect the ability to lead an active life and be independent. Physical activity can counteract the loss of strength to some extent, but individual differences are large and the mechanisms are partly unknown. The hypothesis is that changes in the innervation and composition of the muscle may explain the individual differences in strength loss. A group of Swedish men and women have participated in this study of physical performance for almost 50 years, since they were 16 years old. The project will improve the understanding of muscle aging. The findings may help to develop strategies to counteract muscle loss and enable healthy aging and to promote physical activity throughout life

Hip Thrust Versus Back Squat Training in Untrained Adults

This study compared the effects of two lower-body resistance training exercises - the barbell back squat and the barbell hip thrust - on muscle growth and strength in untrained young adults. Thirty-four participants were randomly assigned to train using either the back squat or the hip thrust, two times per week for nine weeks. Muscle size (via MRI) and strength (via weightlifting tests) were measured before and after training to determine whether one exercise produced greater improvements than the other, particularly in the gluteal muscles. Muscle activity during the first training session was also measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) to see whether early muscle activation could predict later muscle growth.

Effect of Single-Session HVPGS on Hand Grip Strength and Reaction Time in Healthy Individuals

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the immediate (acute) effects of a single session of High-Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation (HVPGS) on hand muscle strength and reaction time in healthy adults. A total of 42 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 65 years undergo a single session of HVPGS applied to the forearm flexor muscles (m. flexor digitorum superficialis, m. flexor digitorum profundus, and m. flexor pollicis longus). Isometric hand grip strength is evaluated before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the intervention using a Jamar hand dynamometer. Sensorimotor reaction time is measured at the same time points using the Nelson Hand Reaction Test. The study aims to determine whether acute HVPGS application elicits immediate bilateral enhancements in mechanical force production and central-mediated processing speed, and whether these gains interact with demographic factors or hemispheric hand dominance.

Dietary Supplements and Middle Aged Women (Collagen & Omega)

This study will examine the effects of combining different types of dietary supplements on various aspects of health and wellbeing in middle aged women. The main outcomes of the trial will be aspects of health and wellbeing that middle aged women report as increasingly problematic, such as joint pain, fatigue, sleep, and changes in body composition, strength, and inflammation. Participants will consume the supplement(s) or placebo for 8 weeks, and outcome measures will be assessed before and after supplementation.

Dietary Supplements and Middle Aged Women (Creatine)

This study will examine the effects of combining different types of dietary supplements on various aspects of health and wellbeing in middle aged women. The main outcomes of the trial will be aspects of health and wellbeing that middle aged women report as increasingly problematic, such as joint pain, fatigue, sleep, and changes in body composition, strength, and inflammation. Participants will consume the supplement(s) or placebo for 8 weeks, and outcome measures will be assessed before and after supplementation.

HME Amino Acid Supplementation for Strength, Performance, and Recovery in Trained Adult Males

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates HME (Human Muscle Equivalent), a free-form amino acid supplement formulated to match the amino acid composition of human skeletal muscle, taken at its Health Canada licensed dose (3 g powder plus one 50 mg slow-release beta-alanine capsule daily). Trained adult males (competitive athletes or certified fitness professionals) are randomized to HME or an identical-appearing placebo for 10 weeks: a 2-week supplement-only lead-in followed by 8 weeks of supplement plus supervised resistance training. The primary aim is to estimate the effect of HME on composite maximal strength (1-repetition maximum leg press plus chest press) compared with placebo. Secondary measures include isometric knee-extension strength, countermovement jump height, and subjective recovery.