Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle ExerciseNCT07410299
The Perceived Point of Muscular Discomfort vs the Point of Failure in the Ageing Population- a Pilot Study
A study testing Resistance Exercise Protocol in people with Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle Exercise, run by Lancaster University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
This is an investigation into the differences in muscle activation and numerical difference in reps between the feeling of moderate discomfort and technical failure during a set of bodyweight resistance exercise. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle Exercise
- What is being tested?
- Resistance Exercise Protocol
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 10 Feb 2026to 10 May 2026
- 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 60 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 60-80 years of age.
- Physically capable of resistance training.
- Able to walk unassisted.
Who cannot join
- Major cardiovascular (e.g. myocardial infarction, angioplasty within the last year, coronary artery bypass graft), neurological (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, major anxiety or depressive disorders), muscular (e.g., muscular dystrophies, myopathies, myositis) or uncontrolled metabolic conditions (e.g. Type 1 or 2 diabetes).
- Severe obesity (BMI >39).
- Have undertaken regular resistance exercise in the last 12 months.
- Any upper or lower body musculoskeletal injury that impairs the participants ability to perform a repetition as fast as possible.
- Acute or terminal illnesses (e.g. severe locals or systemic infections, cancer).
- Current residence being within a setting of care.
- Experience of muscle pain from taking statins.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United Kingdom1 site
Lancaster University
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4YW
About this study
Official title: The Perceived Point of Moderate Muscular Discomfort vs the Point of Technical Failure in the Ageing Population- a Pilot Study.
This is an investigation into the differences in muscle activation and numerical difference in reps between the feeling of moderate discomfort and technical failure during a set of bodyweight resistance exercise.
The investigators know that resistance training is an essential tool for older people to maintain muscle function, valuable independence and autonomy in daily tasks. The idea of completing a set of resistance training activity to the point of failing a repetition due to fatigue regularly has been shown to not be appealing and could be a reason why there are low participation rates among older people for in weight training regularly.
Read more
Research has also shown that it is not necessary to train to failure (being unable to continue to complete repetitions of an exercise with the proper technique due to fatigue), but the investigators would like to know if training to a point of moderate discomfort can also allow for the muscles to gain the positive changes associated with weight training, potentially making it more accessible and enjoyable.
Using bodyweight exercises (a squat pattern and a push up pattern) the investigators will see how many repetitions after the point of perceived moderate discomfort is stated at which the point of failure is. the investigators will also measure muscle activation in the quadriceps and triceps with EMG (a device that can detect the muscles' electrical activity/ how hard it is working) to see at which point the muscle is working the hardest.
Read the detailed description
Before participation, the participant will undergo a health screening that follows the standard operating procedures of the Human Performance Laboratory. This involves measurements of height, weight, body fat percentage, blood glucose, blood pressure and heart rhythm abnormalities. Blood glucose will be measured using capillary blood via a finger prick test administered by the principal investigator. A very small amount of blood will be drawn into a capillary tube and then analysed in a machine (Biosen) to quantify the levels of blood glucose/sugar in the sample. Heart abnormalities will be measured using a device that is non-invasive and just requires the participant to place their fingers on a pad for one minute. The body fat percentage te69st is also non-invasive, requiring the participants to stand on a scale (Tanita body scanner) with their shoes and socks off.
EMG electrodes will then be placed on the triceps and quadriceps after standard skin preparation has taken place. After this the participant will complete a standardised isometric maximal voluntary contraction so the EMG activity can be standardised as % maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). The details of the MVC protocol can be found in Appendix 2.
First the participant will be led through a standardized warm up that includes the use of elastic band exercises and joint mobility work for five minutes as seen in Appendix 3.
The participant will be shown the technique of three variations of the two exercises using a mobile phone app video; beginner, intermediate and advanced variations. They will then be asked to choose which version of the exercise they think can achieve 8-15 repetitions with.
All participants will then start with the beginner variation of the squat pattern exercise. If they are able to perform each exercise for more than 20 repetitions to technical failure they will be asked to perform the intermediate variation intermediate. If they are able to perform more than 20 repetitions to technical failure they will be asked to perform the advanced version.
This process will then be repeated for the push-up pattern, of which there are also three variations, beginner, intermediate and advanced. To minimise fatigue between sets in those that are able to perform the intermediate or advanced exercises, lower and upper body exercises will be alternated and separated by 5 minutes of rest.
Before each set they will be instructed to say the word "now" during the set when they begin to feel moderate muscle discomfort, (a 5 on a scale of 1-10), see appendix 3. (Fisher et al., 2017). and the scale is described to the participant as follows: "The scale begins at 0, which is described as no perceived discomfort. This can be likened to a perception of discomfort at a time where participant felt no noticeable sensations relating to physical activity. The scale ends at 10, which is described as the maximum perceivable discomfort. This can be likened to a perception of discomfort where the participant could not imagine the sensations relating to physical activity being any more intense."
They will then be instructed to continue this set until they can no longer complete a repetition with the correct demonstrated form (technical failure). For each of the exercises the number of repetitions between the point of muscular discomfort and failure will be calculated and correlated with %MVC.
- Being tested
- Resistance Exercise Protocol
- Keywords
- fatigue, Ageing population, resistance exercise, electromyography
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resistance Exercise ProtocolOther
The intervention involves performing progressive variations of squat and push-up patterns to technical failure while monitored by EMG electrodes on the triceps and quadriceps. Participants verbally signal a "moderate" discomfort threshold (5/10) during each set to identify the repetition gap between perceived strain and actual physical exhaustion. This structured exercise task serves to calibrate subjective effort against objective muscle activation (%MVC) to map the physiological mechanics of fatigue.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bodyweight push-up and squat variations | Experimental | The participant will select a variation of the push-up and squat. This will either be beginner, intermediate or advanced. Muscle activity in the triceps and quadriceps muscle groups will be measured for the push-up and squat patterns respectively. Receives: Other: Resistance Exercise Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The number of reps between reported perceived moderate muscular discomfort and technical failure.
The quantitative difference between the rep number that the participant reports the feeling of moderate muscular discomfort at (5 on a scale of 1-10) compared to the rep number that technical failure of the set occurs.
Measured: During 1 set of body weight resistance exercise.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Muscle Activity
Electromyography amplitude of the quadriceps and triceps muscle groups to measure muscle activation.
Measured: During intervention
Accuracy of exercise difficulty selection
The ability of the participant to accurately select an appropriate exercise difficulty that allows them to complete between 8 and 15 repetitions. This will be collected as "yes" or "no" by the investigator for each participant based on their ability to complete what they perceive to be the correct difficulty of exercise variation. If the participant was able to select an appropriate difficulty of variation the investigator will record "yes", if they are not able to select an appropriate variation then the investigator will record "no".
Measured: Immediately after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Feb 2026
- Study start10 Feb 2026
- Primary completion10 May 2026
- Study completion10 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle ExerciseStudies 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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lancaster University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Matthew Davitt, Lancaster University
- Investigators
- Paul Hendrickse, PhD, Principal investigator, Lancaster UniversityLawrence Hayes, PhD, Principal investigator, Lancaster University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07410299
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FHM-2025-5865-IRAS-2
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Perceived Point of Moderate Muscular Discomfort vs the Point of Technical Failure in the Ageing Population- a Pilot Study.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07410299
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FHM-2025-5865-IRAS-2
- Keywords
- fatigue, Ageing population, resistance exercise, electromyography
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lancaster UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 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.
This is an investigation into the differences in muscle activation and numerical difference in reps between the feeling of moderate discomfort and technical failure during a set of bodyweight resistance exercise.
The investigators know that resistance training is an essential tool for older people to maintain muscle function, valuable independence and autonomy in daily tasks. The idea of completing a set of resistance training activity to the point of failing a repetition due to fatigue regularly has been shown to not be appealing and could be a reason why there are low participation rates among older people for in weight training regularly.
Research has also shown that it is not necessary to train to failure (being unable to continue to complete repetitions of an exercise with the proper technique due to fatigue), but the investigators would like to know if training to a point of moderate discomfort can also allow for the muscles to gain the positive changes associated with weight training, potentially making it more accessible and enjoyable.
Using bodyweight exercises (a squat pattern and a push up pattern) the investigators will see how many repetitions after the point of perceived moderate discomfort is stated at which the point of failure is. the investigators will also measure muscle activation in the quadriceps and triceps with EMG (a device that can detect the muscles' electrical activity/ how hard it is working) to see at which point the muscle is working the hardest.
Detailed description
Before participation, the participant will undergo a health screening that follows the standard operating procedures of the Human Performance Laboratory. This involves measurements of height, weight, body fat percentage, blood glucose, blood pressure and heart rhythm abnormalities. Blood glucose will be measured using capillary blood via a finger prick test administered by the principal investigator. A very small amount of blood will be drawn into a capillary tube and then analysed in a machine (Biosen) to quantify the levels of blood glucose/sugar in the sample. Heart abnormalities will be measured using a device that is non-invasive and just requires the participant to place their fingers on a pad for one minute. The body fat percentage te69st is also non-invasive, requiring the participants to stand on a scale (Tanita body scanner) with their shoes and socks off.
EMG electrodes will then be placed on the triceps and quadriceps after standard skin preparation has taken place. After this the participant will complete a standardised isometric maximal voluntary contraction so the EMG activity can be standardised as % maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). The details of the MVC protocol can be found in Appendix 2.
First the participant will be led through a standardized warm up that includes the use of elastic band exercises and joint mobility work for five minutes as seen in Appendix 3.
The participant will be shown the technique of three variations of the two exercises using a mobile phone app video; beginner, intermediate and advanced variations. They will then be asked to choose which version of the exercise they think can achieve 8-15 repetitions with.
All participants will then start with the beginner variation of the squat pattern exercise. If they are able to perform each exercise for more than 20 repetitions to technical failure they will be asked to perform the intermediate variation intermediate. If they are able to perform more than 20 repetitions to technical failure they will be asked to perform the advanced version.
This process will then be repeated for the push-up pattern, of which there are also three variations, beginner, intermediate and advanced. To minimise fatigue between sets in those that are able to perform the intermediate or advanced exercises, lower and upper body exercises will be alternated and separated by 5 minutes of rest.
Before each set they will be instructed to say the word "now" during the set when they begin to feel moderate muscle discomfort, (a 5 on a scale of 1-10), see appendix 3. (Fisher et al., 2017). and the scale is described to the participant as follows: "The scale begins at 0, which is described as no perceived discomfort. This can be likened to a perception of discomfort at a time where participant felt no noticeable sensations relating to physical activity. The scale ends at 10, which is described as the maximum perceivable discomfort. This can be likened to a perception of discomfort where the participant could not imagine the sensations relating to physical activity being any more intense."
They will then be instructed to continue this set until they can no longer complete a repetition with the correct demonstrated form (technical failure). For each of the exercises the number of repetitions between the point of muscular discomfort and failure will be calculated and correlated with %MVC.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bodyweight push-up and squat variations | Experimental | Other: Resistance Exercise ProtocolThe participant will select a variation of the push-up and squat. This will either be beginner, intermediate or advanced. Muscle activity in the triceps and quadriceps muscle groups will be measured for the push-up and squat patterns respectively. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged 60-80 years of age.
- Physically capable of resistance training.
- Able to walk unassisted.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Major cardiovascular (e.g. myocardial infarction, angioplasty within the last year, coronary artery bypass graft), neurological (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, major anxiety or depressive disorders), muscular (e.g., muscular dystrophies, myopathies, myositis) or uncontrolled metabolic conditions (e.g. Type 1 or 2 diabetes).
- Severe obesity (BMI >39).
- Have undertaken regular resistance exercise in the last 12 months.
- Any upper or lower body musculoskeletal injury that impairs the participants ability to perform a repetition as fast as possible.
- Acute or terminal illnesses (e.g. severe locals or systemic infections, cancer).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Exercise ProtocolThe intervention involves performing progressive variations of squat and push-up patterns to technical failure while monitored by EMG electrodes on the triceps and quadriceps. Participants verbally signal a "moderate" discomfort threshold (5/10) during each set to identify the repetition gap between perceived strain and actual physical exhaustion. This structured exercise task serves to calibrate subjective effort against objective muscle activation (%MVC) to map the physiological mechanics of fatigue. | Other | Bodyweight push-up and squat variations |
Primary outcome
The number of reps between reported perceived moderate muscular discomfort and technical failure.
Time frame: During 1 set of body weight resistance exercise.
The quantitative difference between the rep number that the participant reports the feeling of moderate muscular discomfort at (5 on a scale of 1-10) compared to the rep number that technical failure of the set occurs.
2 secondary outcomes
Muscle Activity
Time frame: During intervention
Accuracy of exercise difficulty selection
Time frame: Immediately after 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 27 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle Exercise
Not yet recruiting
The Effects of Age on Muscle Endurance During Resistance Exercise With and Without Blood Flow Restriction
Ageing, Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle Exercise
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.
Paul Hendrickse, PhD principal investigator
Lancaster University
Lawrence Hayes, PhD principal investigator
Lancaster University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Resistance Exercise Protocol in people with Muscle Fatigue Caused by Repetitive Muscle Exercise, run by Lancaster University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 3 inclusion and 7 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 27 Aug 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 United Kingdom. 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?
The number of reps between reported perceived moderate muscular discomfort and technical failure. (time frame: During 1 set of body weight resistance exercise.). 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 27 Aug 2026.