AgingNCT07405060
Impacts and Mechanisms of Age and Muscle Fatigue on Postural Control and Force Control
An observational study of Aging and Muscle Fatigue, run by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at 2 sites in Taiwan.
Trial summary
Muscle fatigue is one of the clinical symptoms in elderly people and demonstrates task dependency and muscle dependency. Muscle fatigue has been shown to negatively impact postural control, physical activity, and quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 85 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging, Muscle Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- Age and Muscle fatigue
- How many people
- 140 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesTaiwan
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2022to 31 Jul 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 20 to 85 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: This study recruits healthy elderly individuals and healthy young individuals
Who may be able to join
- 20 to 40 years (young), and 60-85 years (old)
- walk independently
- able to follow commands (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) scores greater than 21
- able and willing to provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- pregnancy
- neurologic, psychiatric, cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, immune, integumentary disease or disorder which might influence this study
- any current loss of sensation in the arms, wrists, hands, fingers, hips, knees, ankles or toes
- any pain at the time of testing
- any restriction in range of motion of lower extremity.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Taiwan2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Taoyuan
- Recruiting
Chang Gung University
Taoyuan
About this study
Muscle fatigue is one of the clinical symptoms in elderly people and demonstrates task dependency and muscle dependency. Muscle fatigue has been shown to negatively impact postural control, physical activity, and quality of life. However, the evidence for the influence of muscle fatigue on postural control is limited and inconsistent in elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of aging and muscle fatigue on postural control and gait performance with fatiguing exercises of upper and lower extremities.
Read the detailed description
This study aims to investigate the effects of muscle fatigue on postural control and gait performance in healthy older adults (≥65 years) and young adults (20-40 years). Neuromuscular fatigue has been associated with postural instability, but its influence on gait and potential age-related differences remain unclear. Therefore, this study will compare fatigue-induced changes in motor performance between age groups and examine whether fatigue of the upper and lower extremities produces similar functional effects.
Healthy older adults and young adults will be recruited from the community. Eligible participants must be in good health, able to walk independently, demonstrate normal cognitive function, and provide informed consent. Individuals with neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or other conditions that may affect motor performance will be excluded.
A repeated-measures design will be used. The study will involve two laboratory sessions separated by at least one week. Participants will undergo pre-test assessments, a fatiguing exercise protocol, and post-test assessments. Motor outcomes-including maximal voluntary isometric contraction, postural control, and gait performance-will be measured before and after the fatiguing exercises. Fatiguing exercises will consist of repeated cycles of maximal contractions with rest periods, while heart rate and perceived exertion are monitored to ensure safety. The protocol will terminate if exertion reaches a predefined threshold or heart rate exceeds the age-predicted maximum.
Surface electromyography and electrical stimulation will be used to assess neuromuscular function. Postural control will be evaluated using a force plate under multiple standing conditions, and gait parameters will be measured while participants walk at comfortable and fast speeds. Statistical analyses will use repeated-measures mixed-model ANOVAs to examine the effects of age group and fatigue on motor outcomes.
- Conditions
- Aging, Muscle Fatigue
- Being tested
- Age, Muscle fatigue
- Keywords
- old, fatigability, muscle force, balance, gait performance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AgeOther
We compare the young and the old groups
Muscle fatigueOther
We compare the results before and after muscle fatigue
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy people | General healthy people aged 20-40 and 60-85 years. Receives: Other: Age; Other: Muscle fatigue |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal force
The maximal force of upper and lower extremity muscles
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Walking speed
The time taken by participants to walk a standardized distance
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Step Length
The linear distance between the two ankles, typically expressed in centimeter(cm).
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Cadence
The number of steps taken per minute (SPM)
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Single Support Time
The duration within the gait cycle when only one foot is in contact with the ground, typically measured in seconds or as a percentage of the total gait cycle.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Double Support Time
The portion of the gait cycle where both feet are in contact with the ground, indicating the transition phase between steps, expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle or in seconds.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Swing Time
The portion of the gait cycle where the foot is not in contact with the ground, moving forward to the next step. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the total gait cycle or in seconds.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
COP Velocity in Balance Tasks
The speed at which the COP moves, calculated over the duration of the balance task. Higher velocities may reflect more dynamic balance adjustments or instability. Unit：millimeter per second(mm/s)
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
COP Area in Balance Tasks
The area covered by the COP trajectory during the balance task, providing an estimate of the sway envelope. A larger area might indicate poorer balance control. Unit：square millimeter(mm^2)
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
Secondary outcomes (3)
Oxygenated hemoglobin
Oxygenated hemoglobin is the amount of hemoglobin bound to oxygen, reflecting tissue oxygen availability. It's expressed as the percentage.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Total hemoglobin
Total hemoglobin is the combined amount of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, reflecting overall blood volume in the tissue.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Deoxygenated hemoglobin
Deoxygenated hemoglobin is the amount of hemoglobin not bound to oxygen, reflecting oxygen extraction by tissues. It's expressed as the percentage.
Measured: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2022
- Primary completion31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Chang Gung Memorial HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Chang Gung University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Chu-Ling Yen, Chang Gung University
- Investigators
- Chu-Ling Yen, Principal investigator, Chang Gung University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07405060
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 202200723A3
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impacts and Mechanisms of Age and Muscle Fatigue on Postural Control and Force Control
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07405060
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 202200723A3
- Conditions
- Aging, Muscle Fatigue
- Keywords
- old, fatigability, muscle force, balance, gait performance
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chang Gung Memorial HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Chang Gung University
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Feb 2026 (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.
Muscle fatigue is one of the clinical symptoms in elderly people and demonstrates task dependency and muscle dependency. Muscle fatigue has been shown to negatively impact postural control, physical activity, and quality of life. However, the evidence for the influence of muscle fatigue on postural control is limited and inconsistent in elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of aging and muscle fatigue on postural control and gait performance with fatiguing exercises of upper and lower extremities.
Detailed description
This study aims to investigate the effects of muscle fatigue on postural control and gait performance in healthy older adults (≥65 years) and young adults (20-40 years). Neuromuscular fatigue has been associated with postural instability, but its influence on gait and potential age-related differences remain unclear. Therefore, this study will compare fatigue-induced changes in motor performance between age groups and examine whether fatigue of the upper and lower extremities produces similar functional effects.
Healthy older adults and young adults will be recruited from the community. Eligible participants must be in good health, able to walk independently, demonstrate normal cognitive function, and provide informed consent. Individuals with neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or other conditions that may affect motor performance will be excluded.
A repeated-measures design will be used. The study will involve two laboratory sessions separated by at least one week. Participants will undergo pre-test assessments, a fatiguing exercise protocol, and post-test assessments. Motor outcomes-including maximal voluntary isometric contraction, postural control, and gait performance-will be measured before and after the fatiguing exercises. Fatiguing exercises will consist of repeated cycles of maximal contractions with rest periods, while heart rate and perceived exertion are monitored to ensure safety. The protocol will terminate if exertion reaches a predefined threshold or heart rate exceeds the age-predicted maximum.
Surface electromyography and electrical stimulation will be used to assess neuromuscular function. Postural control will be evaluated using a force plate under multiple standing conditions, and gait parameters will be measured while participants walk at comfortable and fast speeds. Statistical analyses will use repeated-measures mixed-model ANOVAs to examine the effects of age group and fatigue on motor outcomes.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy people | – | Other: Age, Other: Muscle fatigueGeneral healthy people aged 20-40 and 60-85 years. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- This study recruits healthy elderly individuals and healthy young individuals
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 20 to 40 years (young), and 60-85 years (old)
- walk independently
- able to follow commands (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) scores greater than 21
- able and willing to provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- pregnancy
- neurologic, psychiatric, cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, immune, integumentary disease or disorder which might influence this study
- any current loss of sensation in the arms, wrists, hands, fingers, hips, knees, ankles or toes
- any pain at the time of testing
- any restriction in range of motion of lower extremity.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AgeWe compare the young and the old groups | Other | Healthy people |
| Muscle fatigueWe compare the results before and after muscle fatigue | Other | Healthy people |
Primary outcome
Maximal force
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The maximal force of upper and lower extremity muscles
Walking speed
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The time taken by participants to walk a standardized distance
Step Length
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The linear distance between the two ankles, typically expressed in centimeter(cm).
Cadence
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The number of steps taken per minute (SPM)
Single Support Time
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The duration within the gait cycle when only one foot is in contact with the ground, typically measured in seconds or as a percentage of the total gait cycle.
Double Support Time
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The portion of the gait cycle where both feet are in contact with the ground, indicating the transition phase between steps, expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle or in seconds.
Swing Time
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The portion of the gait cycle where the foot is not in contact with the ground, moving forward to the next step. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the total gait cycle or in seconds.
COP Velocity in Balance Tasks
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The speed at which the COP moves, calculated over the duration of the balance task. Higher velocities may reflect more dynamic balance adjustments or instability. Unit：millimeter per second(mm/s)
COP Area in Balance Tasks
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol
The area covered by the COP trajectory during the balance task, providing an estimate of the sway envelope. A larger area might indicate poorer balance control. Unit：square millimeter(mm^2)
3 secondary outcomes
Oxygenated hemoglobin
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Total hemoglobin
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Deoxygenated hemoglobin
Time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol), during the fatigue protocol, and immediately after the fatigue protocol.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Feb 2026.
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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.
Chu-Ling Yen principal investigator
Chang Gung University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Aging and Muscle Fatigue, run by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at 2 sites in Taiwan.
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 4 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Taiwan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Chu-Ling Yen (886-3-2118800 ext. 3059, clyen@mail.cgu.edu.tw), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maximal force (time frame: Baseline (pre-fatigue protocol) and immediately after the fatigue protocol). The study lists 9 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 12 Feb 2026.