NCT07324395

Posterior Chain Responses to Gastrocnemius DOMS

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in the Gastrocnemius Alters Biomechanical, Viscoelastic Properties, and Trunk Endurance in the Posterior Chain Muscles

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 14 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ebru Aloğlu Çiftçi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the calf muscle (gastrocnemius) affects the muscles of the posterior chain and physical performance in healthy young adults. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Does DOMS in the calf muscle change the biomechanical properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) of other muscles in the posterior chain? Does DOMS lower trunk endurance, muscle strength, balance, or jump performance? Participants will: Take part in a gastrocnemius exercise protocol designed to safely create DOMS Complete repeated assessments at baseline, immediately after exercise, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours Have their muscle properties measured with a handheld device Complete trunk endurance tests, muscle strength tests, balance tests, and a vertical jump test Provide a blood sample to measure creatine kinase (a marker of muscle damage) This research may help clinicians better understand how soreness in one muscle can influence the whole posterior chain and may guide safer training and recovery strategies.

Detailed description

This prospective repeated-measures clinical trial includes healthy adults aged 18-25 years. DOMS will be induced using a standardized exercise protocol targeting the gastrocnemius muscle. Outcome measures will be collected at five time points: baseline, immediately after the DOMS-inducing exercise, and 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. Primary outcomes include muscle biomechanical properties such as muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity, relaxation, and creep, measured using a digital myotonometer. Trunk endurance is also assessed as a primary outcome because of the posterior chain's role in load transfer and stabilization. Secondary outcomes include: Muscle strength Dynamic balance performance Vertical jump height Pain pressure threshold Serum creatine kinase levels to confirm muscle damage To reduce assessment bias, each assessor is responsible for only one measurement type and is blinded to the DOMS-induction procedure. All assessments occur at the same time points for all participants. The study aims to provide new information about how localized muscle soreness affects chain-related muscle behavior and functional performance. Findings may contribute to improved injury-prevention, training, and rehabilitation strategies, especially for populations exposed to high mechanical load.

Conditions

• Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Gastrocnemius DOMS Induction Protocol	Participants will complete an eccentric exercise protocol to safely induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the gastrocnemius muscle. The protocol includes: Exercise performed bilaterally, starting with the dominant leg Three sets of eccentric heel-lowering movements A 5-minute rest period between sets Participants place the foot on a step and lower the heel for 3 seconds using eccentric contraction The heel is lowered until no further downward motion is possible The opposite leg is used only to lift the body back to the starting position in 1 second A metronome set to 60 beats per minute is used to control movement speed Each set ends when the participant can no longer maintain the required tempo Participants are instructed to avoid physical activity and not take any pain-relieving medication during the 72-hour follow-up period. Intervention Model Description: All participants receive the same DOMS induction protocol.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-12-20
• Primary completion: 2025-03-20
• Completion: 2025-04-25
• First posted: 2026-01-07
• Last updated: 2026-01-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)