Summary
The overall objective of this pilot study is to establish the feasibility and methodological validity of using high-density surface electromyography to characterize motor unit behavior of the quadriceps under thermoneutral and locally cooled conditions, and to generate preliminary data to inform the design of a larger, hypothesis-driven study.
Detailed Description
This randomized, cross-over pilot study will recruit 24 healthy young adults (12 men and 12 women) between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Participants will attend two in-person laboratory visits separated by a minimum of 48 hours. Visit 1 will include informed consent, eligibility confirmation, baseline assessments, and familiarization procedures. Visit 2 will include experimental testing under thermoneutral and cooled conditions.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 35 years
Inclusion Criteria:
* Men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 years
* Healthy adults, defined as absence of significant acute/chronic medical condition, injury, and/or illness that may compromise subject safety, limit the ability of the participant to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study as determined by the Principal Investigator.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Current diagnosis or history of:
* major metabolic disease (e.g., type I and type II diabetes),
* neuromuscular disease (e.g., cervical spondylotic radiculomyelopathy, lumbar spondylosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies),
* cardiovascular disease (e.g., stage II hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction/ischemia, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, or other conditions associated with impaired peripheral circulation),
* significant myocardial or pericardial diseases (e.g. amyloidosis, constriction),
* moderate or severe valvular disease,
* pulmonary/respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),
* cancer,
* renal disease,
* liver disease,
* or anemia.
* Current or recent musculoskeletal injury (e.g. fracture, sprain, dislocation) or any physical disability that precludes safe and adequate testing.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Thigh circumference greater than 23 inches
* Mid-thigh skinfold thickness greater 40 mm