This randomized controlled blinded clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) targeting the innervation of the transversus abdominis muscle on squat performance in CrossFit practitioners. The transversus abdominis is a deep trunk muscle that contributes to lumbopelvic stability and force transmission during functional and athletic movements. Previous research suggests that improving neuromuscular activation of the trunk musculature may enhance movement efficiency and performance during resistance exercises. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation is a minimally invasive technique that applies electrical stimulation through a needle placed close to a peripheral nerve under ultrasound guidance, with the aim of modulating neuromuscular function. Healthy male and female CrossFit practitioners aged 18 to 60 years, with at least one year of training experience, will participate in the study. Participants will undergo an initial ultrasound assessment of transversus abdominis activation to classify and distribute the sample into groups. In a second session, mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and velocity loss during squat performance will be assessed using a linear velocity transducer. Participants will perform 3 sets of 2 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves, or a sham group receiving needle insertion without electrical stimulation. The intervention will consist of a TENS-type current applied at 10 Hz for 10 cycles of 10 seconds. Squat performance variables will be reassessed immediately after the intervention. The purpose of this study is to determine whether US-guided percutaneous neuromodulation can acutely improve squat performance in trained CrossFit practitioners. The study hypothesis is that participants receiving active neuromodulation will demonstrate greater improvements in squat execution velocity and lower velocity loss compared with participants receiving the sham intervention.
CrossFit training requires the integration of strength, power, trunk stability, and efficient force transmission during complex multi-joint movements. The back squat is one of the most frequently used exercises in CrossFit and is commonly applied to assess lower-limb performance through force-velocity profiling. Variables such as mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and velocity loss between sets provide relevant information regarding neuromuscular performance and fatigue resistance. The transversus abdominis is a deep abdominal muscle involved in trunk stabilization and lumbopelvic control. Adequate activation of this muscle may contribute to improved force transmission between the lower and upper extremities during strength exercises. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (UGPNM) is an invasive physiotherapy technique that delivers electrical stimulation through a needle placed near a peripheral nerve under ultrasound guidance. This intervention has been proposed as a method to modulate neuromuscular function and potentially enhance motor performance. Despite the increasing use of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation in clinical and sports settings, evidence regarding its immediate effects on sport performance variables remains limited. In particular, the influence of neuromodulation targeting the innervation of the transversus abdominis on force-velocity profile characteristics during the squat has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the immediate effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the nerves supplying the transversus abdominis on mean velocity during the back squat in CrossFit practitioners. Secondary outcomes include mean propulsive velocity, fatigue resistance assessed through velocity loss between sets, perceived exertion, and potential differences in response according to baseline transversus abdominis activation capacity. A total of 42 healthy CrossFit practitioners, both male and female, aged 18 to 60 years with at least one year of training experience, will be recruited. During baseline assessment, participants will undergo ultrasound evaluation of the transversus abdominis muscle at rest and during voluntary contraction. Muscle thickness will be measured in both conditions, and the percentage of activation will be calculated based on the relative change in thickness. Participants will then be classified into higher and lower activation subgroups according to the median value of transversus abdominis activation. Following this classification, participants will be randomly allocated to either the experimental or sham group using block randomization performed with R statistical software, ensuring balanced distribution of activation levels between groups. A blinded randomized controlled design with third-party outcome assessment will be used. Outcome assessments will be performed by a blinded evaluator responsible for ultrasound measurements of transversus abdominis thickness and for collecting squat performance variables obtained via a linear velocity transducer. The evaluator will not be involved in the randomization process and will remain unaware of group allocation throughout the study. A separate clinician, not involved in outcome assessment, will administer either the active ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation intervention or the sham procedure. Participants will remain blinded to treatment allocation throughout the study. The baseline performance assessment will include squat testing using a linear velocity transducer. Participants will perform three sets of two repetitions at 80% of their individual one-repetition maximum (1RM), following a standardized warm-up. Mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, velocity loss, and rating of perceived exertion will be recorded. The experimental intervention will consist of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation applied to the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves using electrical stimulation at 10 Hz in 10-second cycles. The sham condition will involve identical needle insertion without electrical stimulation. Immediately after the intervention, all performance variables will be reassessed under identical testing conditions. This study aims to determine whether ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation can produce immediate improvements in squat performance variables and whether baseline transversus abdominis activation capacity influences the response to the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
42
The intervention will be applied using ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. The procedure will be performed under ultrasound guidance using a sterile percutaneous needle. In the experimental group, electrical stimulation will be delivered through the needle at a frequency of 10 Hz in 10-second cycles. Stimulation intensity will be adjusted according to participant tolerance, without exceeding the pain threshold.
The sham intervention consists of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle insertion performed in the same anatomical region as the experimental procedure (iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves), using identical positioning and procedural setup. No electrical stimulation is delivered through the needle at any point during the procedure. The duration and handling of the procedure are matched to the experimental condition to ensure participant blinding.
Fisiosport premium SL
Murcia, Murcia, Spain
RECRUITINGMean Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Mean velocity will be measured using a linear position transducer attached to the barbell during the back squat exercise. This device records bar displacement over time and allows calculation of bar velocity during the concentric phase of each repetition. The mean velocity of each repetition will be recorded, and the average across repetitions and sets will be used for analysis.
Time frame: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).
Mean Propulsive Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Mean propulsive velocity will be measured using a linear position transducer attached to the barbell during the back squat exercise. Mean propulsive velocity corresponds to the average bar velocity during the propulsive phase of the concentric movement, from the start of the upward movement until bar acceleration falls below gravitational acceleration. The average value across repetitions and sets will be used for analysis.
Time frame: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).
Velocity Loss Between Sets during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Velocity loss between sets will be calculated from the mean velocity recorded by the linear position transducer during the back squat exercise. This variable will be expressed as the percentage reduction in movement velocity between sets and will be used as an indicator of fatigue resistance.
Time frame: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Perceived exertion during the back squat exercise will be assessed using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Participants will rate the perceived intensity of the exercise after completing the squat protocol. Higher scores indicate greater perceived effort.
Time frame: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session), 1 week after the intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention.
Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle
The investigators will measure the resting and activation thicknesses and will calculate the activation ratio.
Time frame: Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).
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