Validity and Reliability of Trunk Strength Device

Schulthess Klinik30 enrolled

Overview

The study aims to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of assessing trunk muscle strength using an isometric device (Pegasus, Leipzig, Germany). Thirty healthy volunteers will undergo maximal isometric strength testing with the device, repeated one week later to assess repeatability. Surface electrodes will measure muscle activation, while MRI scans will assess structural condition.

The aim of the study is to assess the validity and repeatability of trunk muscle strength evaluation using an isometric device (Pegasus, Leipzig, Germany) and to investigate it. Thirty healthy volunteer participants will undergo testing of maximal isometric (non-moving) strength using this device. The same strength measurement procedure will be repeated one week later for all participants to determine if the measurements are repeatable, i.e., if the device is capable of providing similar strength data in two closely timed measurements. To assess whether the device actually provides reliable strength data for the trunk muscles, surface electrodes will be additionally placed on the involved muscles to understand the extent of neural activation of these muscles during the test. Additionally, an MRI examination will be conducted for all study participants to assess the structural condition of the trunk muscles.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Trunk Muscle Strength

Interventions

CTT PegasusDEVICE

The intervention aims to assess the construct validity of trunk flexor, extensor, and rotator muscle strength using the CTT PEGASUS isometric dynamometer (Leipzig, Germany). This involves correlating muscle strength measured isometrically with its physiological determinants: MRI-based anatomical cross-sectional area (CSA) in the lumbar region and muscle activation measured via surface electromyography (EMG) of spine and trunk muscles. Additionally, the intervention will assess the test-retest reliability of isometric strength of trunk flexors, extensors, and rotators.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 59 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * both male and female subjects * age between 18 and 59 years * BMI \< 30 kg/m2 * cognitively intact (self-reported) * autonomous walking Exclusion Criteria: * age under 18 years or over 60 years * any prior spinal surgery or other musculoskeletal surgery having an impact on movement * acute or chronic back pain in the last 6 months(self-reported) * pregnancy (self-reported) * inability to perform the planned set of activities included in the study (e.g. maximal voluntary contraction torque test) * inability to give consent

Locations (1)

Schulthess Klinik

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

maximal isometric trunk muscle strength

The computer-assisted test and trainig device (CTT) PEGASUS provides data on back muscle strength in isometric conditions, which constitutes the main endpoint of the present project.

Time frame: 1 hour

Secondary Outcomes

MRI muscle morphology

the anatomical crosssectional area (CSA) of trunk muscles (multifidus, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, and obliquus externus abdominis) evaluated through an abdominal MRI.

Time frame: 0.5-1hour

Electromyography (EMG) activity

the root mean square EMG activity recorded during maximal and submaximal voluntary contractions of respective muscles.

Time frame: 1hour

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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