Muscle Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation in Military Personnel
Muscle Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Muscle Injury focused on measuring muscle, eccentric exercise, T2 MRI
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion criteria for control subjects [primary target being Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) personnel]: 1) healthy individuals ages 18-40 years; and 2) ankle range of motion for the leg to be tested from 0 degrees of plantarflexion to 30 degrees of plantarflexion.
Exclusion criteria for control subjects (primary target being ROTC personnel): 1) previous history of trauma and/or surgery to the lower extremities that may limit function; 2) neurological, vascular, or cardiac problems that may limit function; 3) diabetes; 4) previous traumatic head injury or post-traumatic stress disorder; 5) a contraindication to MRI e.g.: pacemakers, metal implants which are not MRI compatible, pregnancy, and severe claustrophobia; and 6) currently performing an exercise program that specifically targets the dorsiflexor muscles.
Inclusion criteria for subjects with muscle atrophy: 1) individuals ages 18-40 years with an injury to the lower leg requiring immobilization but no surgical intervention; and 2) ankle range of motion for the leg to be tested from 0 degrees of plantarflexion to 30 degrees of plantarflexion.
Exclusion criteria for subjects with muscle atrophy: 1) previous history of trauma and/or surgery to the lower extremities, other than the injury for being immobilized, that may limit function; 2) neurological, vascular, or cardiac problems that may limit function; 3) orthopedic conditions affecting the contralateral, uninvolved lower extremity that may limit function; 4) diabetes; 5) previous traumatic head injury or post-traumatic stress disorder; and 6) a contraindication to MRI e.g.: pacemakers, metal implants which are not MRI compatible, pregnancy, and severe claustrophobia.
Sites / Locations
- University of Florida
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Active Comparator
Experimental
Active Comparator
Experimental
Healthy Muscle Group
Stretch-Contract Pre-rehabilitation Group
Stretch-Contract Control Group
Muscle Atrophy
Six subjects will be enrolled in this group. MRI measures will be performed at baseline and 48 hours post-exercise, when the largest amount of muscle damage is typically observed. They will be tested for maximum strength of the dorsiflexors and then undergo an eccentric exercise protocol for both lower legs on the Biodex with varying loads. Approximately two days after the exercise protocol, the participants will have another MRI of the lower legs to assess any change in T2 relaxation time as a construct of muscle edema/damage.
All subjects will be tested initially with an MRI, blood work for creatine kinase levels (CK), subjective report of pain, range of motion (ROM) of the lower leg/ankle, and maximum strength of the dorsiflexors. They will also receive the "stretch-contract" protocol on one leg consisting of the following: a 5 second passive stretch of the dorsiflexors, followed immediately by a 5 second active isometric contraction of the dorsiflexors, and a 5 second rest/relaxation period. This cycle will continue for a duration of ~5 minutes.
All subjects will be tested initially with an MRI, blood work for creatine kinase levels (CK), subjective report of pain, range of motion (ROM) of the lower leg/ankle, and maximum strength of the dorsiflexors.
These subjects will undergo MRI and strength testing at baseline and will also be assessed for CK levels, pain report, and ROM. They will then receive an eccentric loading paradigm for the dorsiflexor muscles of the involved leg using an isokinetic dynamometer with varying loads. Approximately two days after the exercise protocol, follow-up assessment of MRI, CK levels, pain report, ROM, and strength will be done.