Exercise PhysiologyNCT07700641
Effects of Squat Variations on Quadriceps Muscle Thickness and Strength
A study testing Tradional Squat Group and Heel-Elevated Squat Group in people with Exercise Physiology and Muscle Strength and Oxygenation, run by Uskudar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of traditional and heel-elevated squat training on quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength in physically active young women. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Physiology, Muscle Strength and Oxygenation
- What is being tested?
- Tradional Squat Group and Heel-Elevated Squat Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 27 Apr 2026to 20 Jul 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 18 to 25 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- No musculoskeletal, neurological, or cardiopulmonary conditions that would prevent participation in exercise
- Healthy young adults
- No regular lower extremity training participation in the last 6 months
Who cannot join
- History of surgery or serious injury to the knee, hip, or ankle joints within the past year
- Presence of any neurological disorder affecting balance or motor control
- Presence of any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease that contraindicates exercise participation
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of traditional and heel-elevated squat training on quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength in physically active young women. Participants were randomly allocated to either a traditional squat group or a heel-elevated squat group. Both groups completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat-training program performed twice per week. Participants in the heel-elevated squat group performed squats with both heels supported on fixed 5-cm wedges, whereas participants in the traditional squat group performed the same exercise with their feet flat on the floor. Training volume was progressively adjusted throughout the 8-week intervention. Quadriceps muscle thickness was assessed using B-mode ultrasonography, and isokinetic knee extensor strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention. The study aimed to compare changes in quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength between traditional and heel-elevated squat training.
- Being tested
- Tradional Squat Group, Heel-Elevated Squat Group
- Keywords
- Squat exercise, Resistance training, Muscle strength, Muscle oxygenation, Exercise physiology
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tradional Squat GroupOther
Also called Classic Squat Group
Participants completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat program performed twice weekly, with progressive increases in training volume and intensity. Squats were performed to approximately parallel depth, using a controlled ~2-s eccentric phase followed by maximal intended concentric velocity, with 2-min rest intervals between sets.
Heel-Elevated Squat GroupOther
Participants in the Heel-Elevated Squat Group performed all repetitions with both heels supported on rigid 5-cm wedges. Participants completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat program performed twice weekly, with progressive increases in training volume and intensity. Squats were performed to approximately parallel depth, using a controlled ~2-s eccentric phase followed by maximal intended concentric velocity, with 2-min rest intervals between sets.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tradional Squat Group | Experimental | Participants performed the tradional squat exercise as part of an 8-week training program. Receives: Other: Tradional Squat Group |
| Heel-Elevated Squat Exercise | Experimental | Participants performed heel-elevated squat exercise as part of an 8-week training program. Receives: Other: Heel-Elevated Squat Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Muscle Strength (Isomed 2000 Isokinetic Dynamometer)
Quadriceps muscle strength was assessed using a Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer, which is considered a gold-standard method for evaluating muscle performance. Isokinetic testing measures maximal torque produced by the muscle throughout the range of motion at a constant angular velocity, providing reliable data on muscle function. Knee extension strength were evaluated.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
Assessment of Muscle Thickness
Before measurement, participants rested for 20 minutes, and quadriceps muscle thickness was assessed at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the superior pole of the patella using B-mode ultrasonography. Anterior thigh muscle thickness was defined as the distance between the superficial fascia of the rectus femoris and the femoral periosteum, representing the combined thickness of the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jul 2026
- Study start27 Apr 2026
- Primary completion4 May 2026
- Study completion20 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise PhysiologyStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A randomized parallel-group design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two squat exercise groups, and each group performed a different squat modality.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Uskudar University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, FİLİZ EYÜBOĞLU, Uskudar University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07700641
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UskudarUUU
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Squat Variations on Quadriceps Muscle Thickness and Strength
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07700641
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UskudarUUU
- Keywords
- Squat exercise, Resistance training, Muscle strength, Muscle oxygenation, Exercise physiology
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Uskudar UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Jul 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.
The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of traditional and heel-elevated squat training on quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength in physically active young women. Participants were randomly allocated to either a traditional squat group or a heel-elevated squat group. Both groups completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat-training program performed twice per week. Participants in the heel-elevated squat group performed squats with both heels supported on fixed 5-cm wedges, whereas participants in the traditional squat group performed the same exercise with their feet flat on the floor. Training volume was progressively adjusted throughout the 8-week intervention. Quadriceps muscle thickness was assessed using B-mode ultrasonography, and isokinetic knee extensor strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention. The study aimed to compare changes in quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength between traditional and heel-elevated squat training.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A randomized parallel-group design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two squat exercise groups, and each group performed a different squat modality.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tradional Squat Group | Experimental | Other: Tradional Squat GroupParticipants performed the tradional squat exercise as part of an 8-week training program. |
| Heel-Elevated Squat Exercise | Experimental | Other: Heel-Elevated Squat GroupParticipants performed heel-elevated squat exercise as part of an 8-week training program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- No musculoskeletal, neurological, or cardiopulmonary conditions that would prevent participation in exercise
- Healthy young adults
- No regular lower extremity training participation in the last 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- History of surgery or serious injury to the knee, hip, or ankle joints within the past year
- Presence of any neurological disorder affecting balance or motor control
- Presence of any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease that contraindicates exercise participation
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tradional Squat GroupAlso: Classic Squat GroupParticipants completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat program performed twice weekly, with progressive increases in training volume and intensity. Squats were performed to approximately parallel depth, using a controlled ~2-s eccentric phase followed by maximal intended concentric velocity, with 2-min rest intervals between sets. | Other | Tradional Squat Group |
| Heel-Elevated Squat GroupParticipants in the Heel-Elevated Squat Group performed all repetitions with both heels supported on rigid 5-cm wedges. Participants completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat program performed twice weekly, with progressive increases in training volume and intensity. Squats were performed to approximately parallel depth, using a controlled ~2-s eccentric phase followed by maximal intended concentric velocity, with 2-min rest intervals between sets. | Other | Heel-Elevated Squat Exercise |
Primary outcome
Muscle Strength (Isomed 2000 Isokinetic Dynamometer)
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Quadriceps muscle strength was assessed using a Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer, which is considered a gold-standard method for evaluating muscle performance. Isokinetic testing measures maximal torque produced by the muscle throughout the range of motion at a constant angular velocity, providing reliable data on muscle function. Knee extension strength were evaluated.
1 secondary outcome
Assessment of Muscle Thickness
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-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 13 Oct 2026.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
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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 Tradional Squat Group and Heel-Elevated Squat Group in people with Exercise Physiology and Muscle Strength and Oxygenation, run by Uskudar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 3 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 13 Oct 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Muscle Strength (Isomed 2000 Isokinetic Dynamometer) (time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention). 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 13 Oct 2026.