HealthyNCT06539650
Neural Adaptations to a Single Session of Metronome-Paced Strength Training
A study testing Fractal Paced, Isochronus Paced and Self Paced in people with Healthy, run by Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of incorporating variability within a single session of Resistance Training (RT) methods on the neural adaptations along the corticospinal tract and on neuromuscular function. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Fractal Paced, Isochronus Paced and Self Paced
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- 22 Jul 2024to 31 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- healthy males
- aged between 18 and 40 years
Who cannot join
- Neurologic conditions;
- Lower limb disabilities or disease;
- Not able to provide informed consent;
- Have an implanted device (e.g. pacemakers) or any metal in the body;
- Medication advised against the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation;
- History/family history of seizures, brain lesions or head trauma, neurological or psychiatric diseases, epilepsy, migraine
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Portugal1 site
Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
Almada, Monte de Caparica, 2829-699
About this study
Official title: Neural Adaptations to a Single Session Metronome-Paced Strength Training: Insights From Neuroscience and Human Movement Variability
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of incorporating variability within a single session of Resistance Training (RT) methods on the neural adaptations along the corticospinal tract and on neuromuscular function. The literature suggests that RTis one of the most common modalities to enhance and restore muscle function and its practice results in adaptation in neural and morphological adaptations. Moreover, it is also known that muscle contraction relies on the coordination and regulation of the descending neural drive from the motor cortex to the motoneurons and from the motoneurons to the muscles. However, traditional RT programs tend not to address this motor control dimension. Recent approaches such as metronome paced strength training have been used to cover this motor control dimension through a greater control and consciousness of movement. However, this methodology tends not to incorporate the inherent variability and complex, fractal-like fluctuations that characterize human movement. The investigators propose that incorporating variability through a fractal-like metronome approach will speed up the neural adaptations which will be useful in injury rehab
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- Fractal Paced, Isochronus Paced, Self Paced
- Keywords
- Motor Control, Neuroscience, Neural Adapatations, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Dynamic Systems, Metronome Paced Strength Training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Fractal PacedOther
The intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with fractal external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.
Isochronus PacedOther
The intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with isochronus external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.
Self PacedOther
The intervention consists in a single session of strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, at at participants' own self pace (with no metronome). The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Fractal Paced | Experimental | Strength training in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with a fractal-like visual metronome, i.e., a metronome presenting visual external cues with variability within its temporal structure. Receives: Other: Fractal Paced |
| Isochronous Paced | Experimental | Strength training in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with a isochronus visual metronome, i.e., a metronome presenting visual external cues withthe same pace in each repetition (without variability) Receives: Other: Isochronus Paced |
| Self Paced | Experimental | Strength training in single leg extension machine at participants self pace. Receives: Other: Self Paced |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Corticospinal Excitability (CSE) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
CSE is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of excitability of the corticospinal tract.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Short-Interval Intracortical Inhibition (SICI) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
SICI is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of inhibition within the motor cortex.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Corticospinal Silent Period (CSP) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
CSP is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of inhibition along the corticospinal tract.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Intracortical Facilitation (ICF) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
ICF is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of facilitation within the motor cortex.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Lumbar Evoked Potentials (LEP) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
LEP is a measure extracted through the aplication of Lumbar stimulation. This measure allow to distinguish the adaptations that occur at spinal level as a result of strength training.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Maximal Compound Action Potentials (Mmax) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Mmax is a measure assessed through peripheral nerve stimulation and represents the maximal capacity of recruit the motoneurons that innerve a muscle
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
MVIC is defined as the maximal force an individual can produce against an immovable resistance
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Sample Entropy (SampEn) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
SampEn is a non-linear measure of the temporal structure of force output, being an indicator of the regularity of this physiological output. It is obtained from sustained submaximal isometric contractions and it has been proposed as an indirect index of the capacity of the neuromuscular system to adapt the force output to changes in environment, i.e., its adaptability.
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Coefficient ov variation (CV) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
CV is a common linear measure that translates the amount of variability within the signal and is calculated through the standard deviation normalised to the mean of a time series
Measured: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Aug 2024
- Study start22 Jul 2024
- Primary completion30 Jun 2025
- Study completion31 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, University of Essex
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06539650
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AcuteMETROTRAIN - 1404
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Jul 2024
- Last updated
- 16 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neural Adaptations to a Single Session Metronome-Paced Strength Training: Insights From Neuroscience and Human Movement Variability
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06539650
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AcuteMETROTRAIN - 1404
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Keywords
- Motor Control, Neuroscience, Neural Adapatations, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Dynamic Systems, Metronome Paced Strength Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRLUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, University of Essex
- Study start
- 22 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of incorporating variability within a single session of Resistance Training (RT) methods on the neural adaptations along the corticospinal tract and on neuromuscular function. The literature suggests that RTis one of the most common modalities to enhance and restore muscle function and its practice results in adaptation in neural and morphological adaptations. Moreover, it is also known that muscle contraction relies on the coordination and regulation of the descending neural drive from the motor cortex to the motoneurons and from the motoneurons to the muscles. However, traditional RT programs tend not to address this motor control dimension. Recent approaches such as metronome paced strength training have been used to cover this motor control dimension through a greater control and consciousness of movement. However, this methodology tends not to incorporate the inherent variability and complex, fractal-like fluctuations that characterize human movement. The investigators propose that incorporating variability through a fractal-like metronome approach will speed up the neural adaptations which will be useful in injury rehab
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Fractal Paced | Experimental | Other: Fractal PacedStrength training in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with a fractal-like visual metronome, i.e., a metronome presenting visual external cues with variability within its temporal structure. |
| Isochronous Paced | Experimental | Other: Isochronus PacedStrength training in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with a isochronus visual metronome, i.e., a metronome presenting visual external cues withthe same pace in each repetition (without variability) |
| Self Paced | Experimental | Other: Self PacedStrength training in single leg extension machine at participants self pace. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- healthy males
- aged between 18 and 40 years
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Neurologic conditions;
- Lower limb disabilities or disease;
- Not able to provide informed consent;
- Have an implanted device (e.g. pacemakers) or any metal in the body;
- Medication advised against the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Fractal PacedThe intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with fractal external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets. | Other | Fractal Paced |
| Isochronus PacedThe intervention consists in a single session of metronome paced strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, synchronizing each repetition with isochronus external cues presented by a visual metronome. The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets. | Other | Isochronous Paced |
| Self PacedThe intervention consists in a single session of strength training composed by 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 65% of the one-repetition maximal (1RM) in single leg extension machine, at at participants' own self pace (with no metronome). The rest between sets will be set at 2 minutes of rest between sets. | Other | Self Paced |
Primary outcome
Corticospinal Excitability (CSE) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
CSE is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of excitability of the corticospinal tract.
Short-Interval Intracortical Inhibition (SICI) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
SICI is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of inhibition within the motor cortex.
Corticospinal Silent Period (CSP) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
CSP is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of inhibition along the corticospinal tract.
Intracortical Facilitation (ICF) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
ICF is a parameter extracted through the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This parameter provides information regarding the level of facilitation within the motor cortex.
Lumbar Evoked Potentials (LEP) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
LEP is a measure extracted through the aplication of Lumbar stimulation. This measure allow to distinguish the adaptations that occur at spinal level as a result of strength training.
Maximal Compound Action Potentials (Mmax) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Mmax is a measure assessed through peripheral nerve stimulation and represents the maximal capacity of recruit the motoneurons that innerve a muscle
3 secondary outcomes
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Sample Entropy (SampEn) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Coefficient ov variation (CV) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions
Time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Fractal Paced, Isochronus Paced and Self Paced in people with Healthy, run by Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL at 1 site in Portugal.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Portugal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Corticospinal Excitability (CSE) changes Pre-to-Post intervention both within and between Fractal paced, Isochronus Paced and Self paced conditions (time frame: PRE (before intervention), POST (immediately after the intervention) and POST 60 (60 minutes after the intervention)). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jan 2026.